All children aged one to nine in London are to be offered a polio vaccine or booster, as experts warn the virus could spread.
The news comes as health officials have reported “some transmission” of the virus in the English capital after detecting poliovirus in sewage samples.
Polio can cause paralysis in rare cases and can be life-threatening. While there have been no confirmed cases as of writing - health officials have recommended that children get the vaccine to ensure full protection from the virus.
But how can you tell if your child has polio? As the last case of polio in the UK was in 1984, it is understandable that people may be unfamiliar with its symptoms.
Health experts at FROM MARS have shared the most common symptoms of polio and what to do if you think you have the virus, reports Wales Online.
Polio is a disabling infectious disease, caused by the poliovirus. It most commonly affects children under five years of age and 1 in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis. In 1988, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was launched to tackle the endemic, reducing the number of cases by 99%.
Polio can be transmitted through an infected person coughing or sneezing. It can also be caught through eating or drinking food or water that’s been in contact with the faeces of someone with the virus.
What are the symptoms of Polio?
Around 1 in 4 people with polio will experience flu-like symptoms, such as:
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Headaches
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Vomiting
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Muscle Pain
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Fatigue
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High Temperature
These symptoms are often said to last up to three weeks.
Rarely, people with polio will experience more severe symptoms such as paralysis of the muscles, usually in the legs. This paralysis is often not permanent and movement will slowly return within the following weeks/ months. However, if the affected muscles are used for breathing, the virus can be fatal.
Navin Khosla, Superintendent Pharmacist at FROM MARS said: “Polio is a disease which often results in zero to mild symptoms. However, in more severe cases of the virus, the muscles can be affected, resulting in temporary or permanent paralysis. This can be life-threatening if the affected muscles are used for breathing.
"Despite the likely containment of the virus, and therefore low risk, it is still encouraged that anyone who has not had the poliovirus vaccination contacts their GP to receive their vaccine. If you are unsure of whether you have received your vaccine, you can contact your GP to find out.
"Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, infection risks are a concern for many. Despite the chances of this detected virus spreading, it remains important to be aware of the symptoms and steps advised to help avoid the virus.
"As the virus is more commonly contracted through contact with faeces, it is important to ensure you wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet, and also after touching something that might have come into contact with faeces.
"Poliovirus can also be spread through the water droplets from coughing and sneezing. If you are worried about contracting the virus or have been experiencing flu-like symptoms, it would be advisory to wear a face-mask when in public.
"If you believe you might have polio, we advise that you isolate yourself and contact your GP or a health professional to discuss your symptoms and the steps you need to take to ensure the virus does not spread to other people.”
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