Polio still exists in some parts of the world.
Throughout the world polio us present every year, but there was a major outbreak of polio in 1955 in North America. Polio is still present in the world although it is generally not a problem in Western countries. The virus may be endemic (everyone has it) in some countries although only 10% of the population show symptoms. The virus is spread by fecal contamination of food or water or by mouth to mouth contact.
As of July 14, 2010 there have been 545 cases of "wild" polio worldwide in 2010. The total number of cases in 2009 was 1604. There are still some countries using the oral polio vaccine that in extremely rare cases can cause polio. I don't know the statistics for those cases.
Post-polio syndrome occurs some decades after the original infection with polio.
I was vaccinated for Polio as a child in the mid 1950's. I am 62 yrs. old now--am I still immuned to contracting ?Polio
parts of the rainforests are being preserved for the animals to live happily in it.
Most of the people who get Polio are in areas of bad sanitation, have drunk or been near contaminated water, young pregnant women and those whose immune systems are already weakened by other medical conditions or diseases. Other ways you can pick up Polio include; travelling to places where Polio is currently endemic, living with someone who is infected with Polio, having your tonsils removed or working in a laboratory where live Poliovirus is kept.
There are still two types of polio vaccines available. One of those is administered PO ("per os" ~ Latin for "by mouth") known as OPV (oral polio vaccine) and the other is the injected form IPV (inactivated polio vaccine). Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) is a live attenuated (weakened) vaccine. As the name implies, IPV is a vaccine made with inactive/"dead" virus particles. The polio virus is still in the environment in some places and usually gets into the body by way of the intestines, so the oral vaccine is especially effective against the "wild" viruses through gastrointestinal immunity. The wild viruses are not as prevalent as in the past due to the long term use of polio vaccines, and are currently seen in only some areas of the world without that history of vaccinations. There are no preservatives in the live attenuated oral polio vaccine, but there are some traces of some antibiotics used in the purification of contaminates that may get in the vaccine during manufacture. Those people with antibiotic allergies need to talk to their health care professionals about any allergic reaction risks, as you would for any prescriptions in allergic individuals. The live virus also presents some extra difficulty with handling and storage, and is more difficult to preserve in hot areas or over long transport to out of the way locations. This is compounded by strong regulations about the storage and preservation of the OPV that adds costs to maintain compliance and so can make IPV more preferred. The OPV produces immunity to three poliovirus types. Three doses can produce immunity in 95% of those who receive oral polio vaccine. One dose is effective in 50%. There can be some "secondary immunization" provided to others by those who receive the oral vaccine and pass the virus through their feces. This gives, in a sense, a vaccination to the others exposed to their feces and the minute doses of the vaccine it contains. This is a plus in the more remote and economically deprived locations. There is also the injected IPV (inactivated polio vaccine) that mostly prevents the virus from getting into the body through the nervous system. This is what is seen used most often in areas of the world that do not still have wild polio in the environment (like in the US). However, the live vaccine is still used in areas of the world where there is more incidence of the disease in the "wild". This is because any concerns about an increase in the virulence of the weakened live virus that could potentially cause infection are offset by the increased effectiveness, need for fewer doses, and often life long protection that a live vaccine produces.
He had polio.
polio, elephantitas, and cancer
polio
The latest in bracing for polio survivors after the frequent switch from leather and metal.