Does poliomyelitis become contagious in adulthood?
Disease description:
My friend contracted poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis) as a child and has had some difficulty walking ever since. He has a younger sister who was healthy as a child, but recently I suddenly noticed that she also started having trouble walking with coordination. Can poliomyelitis become contagious in adulthood?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Post-polio syndrome in adulthood is generally not contagious. Poliomyelitis, also known as infantile paralysis, is an acute infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. The contagiousness of this disease is mainly limited to the acute phase of the illness, that is, during the time when symptoms are present. During this phase, the virus spreads through the fecal-oral route and is highly contagious. Once the patient has fully recovered from the illness, the poliovirus gradually disappears from the body. Therefore, after the patient reaches adulthood, especially when the disease has completely healed, the disease is no longer contagious. Although adults who had polio as children are generally not contagious, it is still important to be cautious about possible viral persistence in the body or the potential for reinfection, especially when in contact with individuals who have weakened immune systems.
Vaccination is generally recommended for the prevention of poliomyelitis. By receiving vaccinations, the risk of contracting the disease and the spread of the virus within the population can be significantly reduced. In addition, maintaining good personal hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with infected bodily fluids, can also help prevent poliomyelitis. Patients who have already contracted the disease should actively cooperate with medical treatment and undergo rehabilitation therapy to improve their quality of life.
