Overview
Pakistan is one of the last countries where wild polio still circulates. Every child should receive all polio vaccine doses to stay protected.
Symptoms
- Most people have no symptoms or a mild flu-like illness
- Fever, sore throat, headache and vomiting
- Muscle pain and stiffness
- Sudden weakness or floppiness of a limb
- Paralysis, sometimes affecting breathing
Causes and risk factors
Polio spreads through contact with stool from an infected person, often through contaminated water or food. Unvaccinated children are at highest risk.
Diagnosis
Stool tests confirm the virus. Any child with sudden weakness of a limb should be reported and tested.
Treatment
There is no cure. Treatment is supportive, including breathing support if needed, physiotherapy and orthopaedic care. Vaccination is the only protection.
When to see a doctor
Seek urgent care if a child develops sudden weakness or floppiness of an arm or leg. Make sure children receive all polio vaccine doses.
This information is for general education and does not replace advice from a qualified doctor. For a medical emergency, call +92-51-8446666 or go to the nearest emergency department.
