Polio (Poliomyelitis) is a potentially life-threatening acute viral infection. It is a highly contagious disease which is caused by an enterovirus (Polio virus types 1, 2 and 3) and may cause serious illness including permanent nerve damage, leading to paralysis of limbs and respiratory muscles.
Polio has been largely wiped out around most of the planet but it still poses a threat in certain areas of the world and is particularly dangerous to children. Areas of risk include: Africa, Afghanistan and the Indian sub-continent.

It is spread by the faecal-oral route and outbreaks tend to occur with exposure to contaminated food and water.

There are two types of polio vaccines available, an inactivated injection or a live attenuated oral vaccine. Polio is usually given as a triple vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Polio) and a booster dose is recommended after 10 years have lapsed since your last vaccination.

There is no cure for Polio. However fortunately there is a vaccine which can be used to prevent you getting polio. Travellers to areas at risk may be recommended a single course injection of Revaxis.

In the UK Polio vaccination (DTP) is part of the routine childhood immunization programme.