STUDIES OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF POLIOMYELITIS VIRUS

Abstract

The occurrence and duration of the carrier state in familial associates of recognized cases of poliomyelitis was studied by the examination for virus of stool specimens collected from the members of four families at regular intervals for a period of over 2 months. The results indicate that: (1) virus may persist in their stools continuously for 4 to 5 weeks; (2) virus may be encountered intermittently in the stools; (3) in some instances virus may be present for brief periods only; (4) children are more likely to maintain virus than are adults in the same family; (5) infection of a family takes place rapidly, suggesting again simultaneous infection from a common source.