Poliomyelitis (Polio)
What is Poliomyelitis (Polio)?​​
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Polio is a virus that often is mild but in some cases can be life altering and sometimes deadly.
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It is most often spread through the fecal-oral route by contact with stool from an infected individual but can also be spread through coughing and sneezing.
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What is at risk of Polio?​​​
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Polio is extremely rare in Canada since the introduction of the polio vaccine, but cases may still be seen for those who have taken the oral polio virus (OPV)
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,People who have travelled to endemic polio countries.
What are symptoms of Polio?​​​
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Most often people who are infected show no symptoms, around 25% will have flu-like symptoms, and less than 4% of cases will be serious.
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Some of the minor symptoms include sore throat, fever, fatigue, nausea, and headache.
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Serious symptoms include inflammation of the central nervous system, paralysis, brain or spinal issues, paresthesia, permanent disability and sometimes death.
What about the Polio vaccine?​​​​
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The polio vaccine provides immunity in individuals close to 95% of time after the primary series, and close to 100% after the single booster dose.
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It is recommended that children receive the inactivated polio vaccine at 2, 4, 6-18 months and at 4-6 years old
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Adults who handle polio or healthcare workers who may contact infected people should also be vaccinated.