How do you contract the polio virus?

Polio enters the body through the mouth and is spread by contact with food, liquids, objects or people contaminated with the poliovirus.

Symptoms can develop up to 3 weeks after coming into contact with the virus and people are generally most infectious 7–10 days before and after the beginning of symptoms. People remain contagious for as long as the virus continues to be excreted in their faeces (poo), which can be up to 6 weeks.