For more than half of the 20th century parents in the industrialized world were freaked out by an unseen waster of youth, the poliovirus. It spread easily and could paralyze children for life or even kill them. Its effects were so horrible that humanity set about ridding if from the Earth.
# Stuff You Should Know: Polio
Josh and Chuck dive deep into the history and science of polio, exploring how this devastating virus that once paralyzed thousands has been brought to the brink of extinction through one of the most successful vaccination campaigns in human history. They break down the difference between polio virus infection and poliomyelitis disease, explain how two competing vaccines—Jonas Salk's injected IPV and Albert Sabin's oral OPV—took different approaches to fighting the disease, and reveal the fascinating (and sometimes troubling) stories behind their development and global deployment. Along the way, they discuss everything from iron lungs and the March of Dimes to how we've managed to eliminate two of three polio strains worldwide, though some surprising obstacles have recently emerged in the final push toward complete eradication.
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