The polio virus enters the body by?

RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2019

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2019

Explanation

The poliovirus primarily enters the body through the mouth via ingestion.
This mode of entry is part of the fecal-oral route, where the virus is transmitted through contaminated food, water, or hands.
After ingestion, the virus replicates in the alimentary tract (throat and intestines) before it can spread to the central nervous system.

Option B: Sexual contact is not a primary or recognized mode of transmission for poliovirus. Polio is an enterovirus spread via the fecal-oral route.
Option C: Inoculation (entry via injection or puncture) is not the main route for polio. While contaminated needles can cause 'provocation paralysis' in someone already infected, it's not the initial mode of entry into the body.
Option D: This option is incorrect because sexual contact and inoculation are not primary routes of transmission for the poliovirus. Only ingestion is the correct primary route among the choices.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Poliovirus transmission and portal of entry as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the fecal-oral route is fundamental for nurses in patient and community education. It highlights the critical importance of handwashing, safe drinking water, and proper sanitation to prevent polio and other enteric diseases.
This knowledge underpins public health strategies like the Pulse Polio Immunization program in India, which aims to interrupt this exact transmission cycle through widespread vaccination.
A nurse's role includes educating caregivers that even after vaccination, maintaining good hygiene is essential as the virus can still be shed and spread in communities with low sanitation standards.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it asks for the main way poliovirus gets into the human body.
Recall or deduce the classification of poliovirus. It is an 'enterovirus,' with 'entero-' referring to the intestines. This is a strong clue that the route of entry is related to the digestive system.
Evaluate the given options. 'Ingestion' means taking something in through the mouth, which directly leads to the digestive system.
Consider the other options. 'Sexual contact' and 'Inoculation' (entry through skin puncture) are common routes for other types of pathogens (like STIs or blood-borne viruses) but do not align with the nature of an enterovirus.
Eliminate 'All of the above' because two of the options are incorrect.
Conclude that 'Ingestion' is the correct and primary portal of entry for the poliovirus.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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