Polio vaccination
A polio vaccination can help reduce the risk of infection. In Australia, it is part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP) and is also generally recommended for those who are travelling to countries where the disease is endemic.
Polio is a very contagious viral infection that can cause serious long-term effects. If travelling to certain areas overseas, immunisation is the best way to reduce your risk.
MediADVICE Pharmacists can provide polio vaccinations for customers:
aged over 5 years in ACT
aged over 5 years in NSW
aged over 5 years in VIC
Fees may apply.
What is polio?
Polio (poliomyelitis) is a very contagious viral infection caused by the poliovirus. It’s a serious disease that can cause long-term disability, paralysis and death. Most people who get polio make a full recovery. However, some people have lasting muscle and nerve damage that may cause disability.
Polio has been largely eradicated throughout the world through large-scale vaccination programs. However, it is still present in areas that have low vaccination rates such as Pakistan and Afghanistan.1Australia was declared polio-free in 2000.2Polio is a notifiable disease in Australia.3That means health authorities must be notified if you have the disease.
Signs and symptoms of polio
Most people who become infected with polio don’t have symptoms.4If symptoms are present, they usually appear between three and 21 days after being infected. Symptoms of polio can be mild (abortive polio) or severe (nonparalytic polio and paralytic polio). In mild cases, they may include:5
fever
headache
sore throat
tiredness and weakness
loss of appetite
stomach-ache, nausea and vomiting
stiff muscles.
Symptoms of nonparalytic polio (the type that doesn’t cause paralysis) include:
stiff spine and neck
reduced reflexes
weak muscles.
The most serious form of polio is rare, but it can lead to paralysis. Symptoms include:
extreme sensitivity to touch
intense pain
tingling sensations
twitching or muscle spasms
muscle weakness that progresses to paralysis (usually in one leg followed by one arm)
difficulty swallowing and breathing.
How is polio spread?
The polio virus is usually spread through infected faeces (poo) where it can be for up to 35 days before the infected person shows symptoms. Once symptoms appear, the virus can remain in the faeces for as long as six more weeks.6 This method of transmission is usually due to poor hygiene practices.
The virus can also spread through droplets from sneezing and coughing, and through contaminated food and water.
How is polio diagnosed?
To diagnose polio, your doctor will take your medical history and ask if you’ve travelled to a country where people still get infected by polio, or if you’ve had contact with an infected person. You’ll also undergo a medical exam to check for symptoms like:
stiff neck and back
abnormal reflexes
problems with your breathing or swallowing.ㅤ
Your doctor will also take a sample of your throat, poo, or cerebrospinal fluid (fluid around your brain and spinal cord) and test it for poliovirus.
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How do you treat polio?
There is no cure for polio. Treatment aims to manage the disease to help you recover and prevent complications. Treatment may include7:
medication to relieve pain
medication to reduce muscle spasm
ventilators to help with breathing (in severe cases)
physiotherapy to help you recover from any paralysis.
What about complications from polio?
Sometimes polio can cause long-term complications. These include:8
permanent paralysis
shortening of the muscles leading to deformed bones and joints
chronic pain
late effects of polio (LEoP), symptoms related to polio that appear years after the initial diagnosis.
Some people may also develop a condition caused post-polio syndrome. This is where symptoms appear long after (usually decades) the initial illness. Common symptoms include:9
new symptoms of pain and weakness that get worse over time
fatigue
reduced muscle strength and endurance
problems with breathing, swallowing or speaking
breathing-related sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea
reduced tolerance of cold temperatures.
When to see your doctor?
If you suspect you may have polio, you should see your doctor immediately to ensure proper treatment.
You should also visit your doctor if you have had polio in the past, and develop new symptoms.
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Can you prevent polio?
The only way to prevent polio is to be vaccinated. In Australia, the National Immunisation Program provides all children with a series of vaccinations via injection. These are free.
If you are unsure if you have been vaccinated against polio, speak to your doctor. You should also ask your doctor about a booster vaccine if you plan to travel to high-risk areas. Boosters are recommended every 10 years.10
Your local MediADVICE pharmacist is available to help you manage your health. We can provide advice on medication and other products that can help you manage a range of health conditions. We can also refer you to a doctor if necessary.
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Disclaimer
General advice only – this information should not replace the information provided to you by your health care professional. If symptoms are severe or persist, please speak to your health care professional. Information current as of date of publishing.