Wellness Wednesday: Polio back in the U.S.

Published August 24, 2022 at 9:57 AM EDT

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientist works with polio virus material. The first case of polio in nearly decade was detected in a New York patient Thursday. The individual was unvaccinated and likely contracted the virus from an individual outside of the country.

In July, the first US case of polio in nearly a decade appeared in New York. The case was contracted from someone who had received the oral polio vaccine which, although no longer used in the US, continues to be key to the global effort to eradicate polio.

Today on Wellness Wednesday, we’re taking a look at the complicated role of the polio vaccine. We’re also looking at hemorrhoids and over-the-counter hearing aids.

Guests:

Dr. William Petri, infectious disease specialist and chair of the WHO’s Polio Research Committee
Dr. Michael Valente, colorectal surgeon, Cleveland Clinic
Davy Weaver, director of clinical services, Columbus Speech & Hearing

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