Poliomyelitis Poliovirus

About the virus

There are 3 subtypes of poliovirus which are transmitted through the fecal-oral route.

Poliovirus, the causative organism of poliomyelitis, is a single-stranded RNA virus from the family Picornaviridae belonging to the genus, Enterovirus. There are three subtypes of poliovirus, P1, P2, and P3. Transmission of the virus is facilitated by direct person-to-person contact through the fecal-oral route. Poor hygiene, consumption of contaminated water or food and coming in contact with respiratory secretions can help spread the virus. The virus enters the system through the mouth or the nose and multiplies in the throat or in the intestine. It is then absorbed into the blood and lymphatic system from where it invades the nervous system.

The incubation period for the poliovirus is between 3 to 35 days, which is the time between the transmission/infection of the virus and the onset of symptoms. In case of paralytic poliomyelitis, the incubation period is between 7 to 14 days. Individuals are considered contagious immediately before the onset of symptoms and soon after they appear.

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