What should you know about polio stages?

After the virus enters the body, many infected people have no clear symptoms. Others develop a brief feverish illness with tiredness, headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort or a sore throat. These early symptoms can overlap with many common infections.

In a smaller group, the infection affects the brain or spinal cord. Stiffness, severe muscle pain, unusual sensitivity, weakness or loss of movement can appear. Paralysis may affect one or more limbs and can involve the muscles used for breathing. Recovery varies, and weakness may persist.

Arrange urgent medical assessment for new weakness, difficulty walking, or a child who becomes unusually floppy after a feverish illness. Keep the person resting, offer suitable fluids if swallowing is safe, and avoid sharing towels, cups or eating utensils while advice is pending. Do not give medicines intended to treat another illness without checking with a clinician.

A clinician may assess strength, reflexes, swallowing and breathing, then arrange tests and public-health advice. Vaccination is the main way to prevent polio; check that household members have received the immunisations recommended for them.

Call emergency services immediately for trouble breathing, choking, inability to swallow saliva, rapidly worsening weakness, or severe drowsiness. These signs can indicate involvement of muscles needed for breathing or protection of the airway.

Ask which symptoms need monitoring, whether testing or isolation advice is needed, and whether your vaccination record is complete. You can also ask what rehabilitation support may help if weakness remains.