What should you know about polio?

The virus commonly enters through the mouth and can spread between people through contaminated hands, food or water. Many infections cause few or no noticeable symptoms. Others cause fever, sore throat, headache, nausea or stomach upset. In a smaller group, the nervous system is affected, leading to severe muscle pain, weakness, breathing difficulty or paralysis.

Weakness that develops suddenly is an emergency, whether or not polio is suspected. Diagnosis requires medical assessment and specific testing.

Vaccination is the main protection against polio. Check that children have received recommended [Childhood Immunisation](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/childhood-immunisation/) and ask a clinician about catch-up doses if records are incomplete. Wash hands carefully after using the toilet and before preparing food, and use safe food and water practices.

If exposure or travel risk is a concern, seek medical advice promptly. Do not share personal items when someone has an unexplained infectious illness.

Get emergency help for sudden limb weakness, difficulty breathing, problems swallowing or rapidly worsening muscle weakness. Arrange prompt medical review for fever with marked weakness, severe headache or neck stiffness, especially after possible exposure.

Ask whether vaccination records are complete, whether travel changes your vaccination plan and which symptoms should prompt urgent assessment after an exposure.