Poliovirus in Healthcare Settings

Prevention & Control of Poliovirus in Healthcare Settings

Poliovirus is transmitted through contact with feces or urine of infected persons but can be spread by contact with respiratory secretions and, in rare instances, through items contaminated with feces. The incubation period for non-paralytic poliomyelitis is 3 to 6 days, but is usually 7 to 21 days for paralytic polio. Communicability is greatest immediately before and after the onset of symptoms, when the virus is in the throat and excreted in high concentration in feces. The virus can be recovered from the throat for 1 week and from feces for several weeks to months after onset of symptoms.

Guidelines

These resources may be of use to healthcare professionals.

Date last modified: February 6, 2001
Content source: 
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP)
National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases