What should you know about contract polio?

Poliomyelitis, commonly called polio, is caused by a virus that can spread through close contact and contaminated food or water. Many infections cause no obvious symptoms or resemble a mild illness with fever, tiredness, headache, nausea, or sore throat. In some people, the infection affects the nervous system and produces severe muscle pain, stiffness, weakness, or paralysis. Weakness may develop quickly and can affect breathing muscles. A person cannot identify polio from weakness alone, because several other conditions can produce similar neurological symptoms; medical assessment and appropriate testing are needed.

Vaccination is the main way communities prevent polio and reduce its spread. Protection is built through the recommended childhood immunisation schedule, with advice tailored to age, previous doses, travel, and local public-health guidance.

Check that children and household members are up to date with recommended immunisations, and keep a record of doses. Ask a healthcare professional about catch-up vaccination if doses were missed, or about additional advice before travel to an area where polio may circulate. Practise careful handwashing after using the toilet and before preparing food, use safe drinking water, and follow public-health instructions during an exposure or outbreak. Do not delay assessment of new limb weakness because early supportive care and monitoring can be important.

Seek emergency medical help for sudden or progressing limb weakness, difficulty breathing or swallowing, severe muscle pain with stiffness, or weakness after a possible exposure. Urgent assessment is also appropriate for a child with unusual floppiness, difficulty walking, or loss of previously acquired movement. Keep the person away from close contact until public-health or clinical advice is given if polio is suspected.

Ask whether immunisation records show complete protection, whether catch-up doses or travel advice are needed, what symptoms require emergency care, and whether a recent exposure changes the recommended next step.