Causes
The poliovirus, which causes poliomyelitis, spreads through coughing or sneezing, or through handling infected poo.
Symptoms
The incubation period of poliovirus can be from 3-21 days. In 90-95% of polio cases, symptoms don’t show up in the children who have it. If symptoms do show up, they’re similar to those of a heavy cold or flu, with fever, headache and generalised aches and pains.
In severe cases of polio (about 1-2%), the nerves are affected. This usually causes permanent paralysis in some muscles, most commonly the muscles used for breathing or those in the limbs.
When to see your doctor
You should see your doctor if your child has symptoms like those of a heavy cold or flu – fever, headache, and muscle aches and pains. If you think your child has polio, see your doctor immediately.
Let your doctor know if your child hasn’t been immunised against polio.
Treatment
If your doctor thinks your child has polio and there are any signs of paralysis, your child will be admitted to hospital.
Prevention
Your child can be immunised against polio, which will stop him from getting the virus that causes it. In Australia, it’s currently recommended that your child receives four doses of the polio vaccine – at two, four and six months, and the final dose at four years old.
Because the condition is now so rare (as a result of Australia’s successful immunisation program), some parents don’t bother to immunise. But even though polio is rare, it doesn’t mean your child won’t catch it, especially if you travel overseas to areas where polio is common or where an outbreak has recently occurred.
