There are basically 3 ways to get what some people call "polio," or the paralysis that results from any of several enterovirus infections getting into your nervous system.
Late summer/early fall is notorious for one of them: provocation polio.
Late summer/early fall is notorious for one of them: provocation polio.
Provocation polio happens when one of these enteroviruses gets "pushed" into nervous tissue via an injection.
Unlike paralysis of the legs, which usually stems from an actual intestinal infection, provocation polio is a local paralysis that starts at the site of the shot.
Unlike paralysis of the legs, which usually stems from an actual intestinal infection, provocation polio is a local paralysis that starts at the site of the shot.
Polio from various shots is typically not as dangerous, but paralysis can spread from the site of injection into the spinal cord & cause real problems.
Important to realize—in most cases, the vaccines are not contaminated. A rogue virus not cleaned from the skin is the problem.
Important to realize—in most cases, the vaccines are not contaminated. A rogue virus not cleaned from the skin is the problem.
For reasons not totally understood, enteroviruses with the potential to paralyze are more prevalent this time of year.
Because many kids also gets shots for school at this time, cases of "polio-like" illnesses will also start to show up.
Because many kids also gets shots for school at this time, cases of "polio-like" illnesses will also start to show up.
Publicly, health officials will act confused and surprised at cases of "mystery polio-like" illness appearing over the next few months, but it happens every year and for the most part, we know why.
It's no mystery.
It's no mystery.
The polio vaccine only works against one of many enteroviruses which can paralyze.
If the public realized the polio vaccine only protects against a small percentage of potential paralysis cases, they would realize the polio vaccine isn't the panacea they were promised.
If the public realized the polio vaccine only protects against a small percentage of potential paralysis cases, they would realize the polio vaccine isn't the panacea they were promised.
Much of the public's faith in vaccines originates from the polio story—an outlandish bit of folklore that over the past few decades has grown into a ridiculous fairy tale that doesn't resemble what actually happened.
If the public realized the polio vaccine is unnecessary—and in fact, was never necessary at all—it would shake the foundations of trust in public health: pediatric immunization programs.
If you're curious about the actual origin of polio, I wrote a book about its fascinating story. It's called "The Moth in the Iron Lung," and it's currently available on Amazon:
amazon.com/Moth-Iron-Lung…
amazon.com/Moth-Iron-Lung…
Don't be surprised to see cases of "mystery polio-like illness" start to show up over the next few months. They may not all be directly related to vaccination, but unfortunately, many will be.
