What should you know about fun facts about polio?

Polio is caused by poliovirus. Infection may cause no obvious illness or may produce fever, tiredness, headache, nausea or muscle discomfort. In some cases, the nervous system is affected and weakness or paralysis can develop. These symptoms can have many causes, so a clinical assessment is needed rather than relying on symptoms alone.

The virus can spread through contaminated hands, food or water and close contact. Good hand hygiene supports prevention, but it does not replace vaccination. A person can spread infection without knowing they are infected.

Check that you and your children are up to date with the recommended Childhood Immunisation schedule, particularly before travel to places where polio may circulate. Keep vaccination records and ask a clinician which doses are appropriate if records are missing or incomplete.

Wash hands carefully after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food. If someone develops sudden weakness, difficulty walking, trouble swallowing or breathing, seek emergency medical help immediately.

Get emergency help for sudden or worsening weakness, inability to move a limb, difficulty swallowing, choking, or breathing difficulty. Contact a clinician promptly for fever with new weakness or after a relevant exposure or travel history, and mention vaccination status.

Are my vaccinations and my child’s vaccinations up to date? What should we do if records are incomplete? Is extra protection needed before travel? Which symptoms after an exposure require urgent assessment?