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'''Poliomyelitis''', more commonly know as ''polio'', is an infectious [[disease]] caused by an enterovirus of the same name.
'''Poliomyelitis''', more commonly known as ''polio'', is an infectious [[disease]] caused by an enterovirus of the same name.
== Transmission ==
== Transmission ==
Polio, like most enteroviruses, is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, especially from ingestion of contaminated [[water]].
Polio, like most enteroviruses, is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, especially from ingestion of contaminated [[water]].
Most cases (about 95%) of polio are asymptomatic, or cause minor respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms. About 1 of every 1000 cases leads to paralytic polio.
Most cases (about 95%) of polio are asymptomatic, or cause minor respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms. About 1 of every 1000 cases leads to paralytic polio.
== Prevention ==
== Prevention ==
Previously widespread in the [[United States|US]], polio is now all but eradicated here. Until vaccines were developed in the 1950's, parents spent their [[summer]]s in fear that their [[children]] would be struck down. Two basic types of vaccine were developed:
Previously widespread in the [[United States|US]], polio is now all but eradicated here. Until vaccines were developed in the 1950s, parents spent their [[summer]]s in fear that their [[children]] would be struck down. Two basic types of vaccine were developed:
*Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). This vaccine makes use of a live-attenuated form of the [[virus]]. It is administered orally, infects the host, and is spread in the same way as polio. It does not cause paralytic polio. One advantage of this vaccine is that it can "passively" vaccinate those who do not get vaccinated normally. Unfortunately, immunocompromised people can become quite ill from exposure, so this vaccine is largely being replaced in the US.
*Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). This vaccine makes use of a live-attenuated form of the [[virus]]. It is administered orally, infects the host, and is spread in the same way as polio. It does not cause paralytic polio. One advantage of this vaccine is that it can "passively" vaccinate those who do not get vaccinated normally. Unfortunately, immunocompromised people can become quite ill from exposure, so this vaccine is largely being replaced in the US.
*Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). This is an injected vaccine that is now widely used in the US.
*Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). This is an injected vaccine that is now widely used in the US.