Until the middle of the twentieth century, polio affected people all over the world. The disease, caused by a virus in the genus Enterovirus, often left its survivors with weakened muscles or varying degrees of paralysis. In their later years, many once-healthy survivors experienced a condition known as post-polio syndrome. Once effective vaccines were developed, polio was eradicated in the United States and other countries, although it still remains a threat in a few developing countries. Polio, Third Edition contains new illustrations and updated coverage of all aspects of this disease, including the latest vaccination information, world outbreak and immunization statistics, and a progress report on international efforts to eradicate polio.

Chapters include:

• The History of Polio
• The Transmission of Polio and How It Affects the Body
• Vaccines and How They Work
• Just When We Thought It Was Safe: Post-Polio Syndrome
• What Lies Ahead? The Future of Polio.