Polio

For the last century, the polio virus has caused disastrous problems for the nation. Beginning in the summer of 1916, the polio epidemic struck towns during the summer months leaving few survivors of whom many were either paralyzed or disabled for life. This disease escalated in the 1940s and 1950s. According to the CDC article, before polio vaccines were available, outbreaks caused more than 35,000 people each year to become crippled and face paralysis. However, following the introduction of vaccines—specifically, trivalent inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) in 1955 and trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) in 1963—the number of polio cases fell rapidly to less than 100 in the 1960s and fewer than 10 in the 1970s.

According to an article by Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD, most people who are infected with the poliovirus are asymptomatic, meaning they show no signs or symptoms. Others have mild flu-like symptoms when infected similar to a cold including: sore throat, fever, vomiting, headache, or diarrhea. However, sometimes (in about 1% of those who contract it) the virus infects the brain or the spinal cord causing meningitis or muscle weakness and paralysis. Polio is contagious and it spreads through fecal-oral and respiratory transmission. Those who are asymptomatic are still carriers of the virus and can spread it to other people. It is preventable due to the two types of vaccines: IPV and OPV.

Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV)

In the United States, children receive the inactivate poliovirus vaccine when they are 2 months, 4 months, 6–18 months, and 4–6 years old. IPV contains an inactive form of the virus, so it can’t cause polio or any mild form of it.

Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)

In other parts of the world, kids may receive oral polio vaccine (OPV). This vaccine contains a weak form of the live virus which allows the body to build up antibodies to the poliovirus. This vaccine is a liquid and it is cheaper and easier to give to people because there is no injection required, it is just swallowed. However, the virus is present in the spit and poop of those who receive the vaccine and so it can be spread to other people, who may not be vaccinated and can create antibodies in them as well increasing immunity. However, with the live virus it can in very rare cases cause polio, and is therefore no longer given in the US.

According to the Polio Global Eradication Initiative website, in 2020 there have been 12 cases of WPV globally that have all occurred in Pakistan. Additionally, there have been 6 cVDPV, contracted from the vaccination, related incidences world-wide in the countries of Ethiopia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and the Philippines. The virus is still a problem in other countries but has not been contracted from within the United States since 1979.