There is no medication to treat polio infection. Once paralysis starts, there is no effective way to stop the process. Doctors may insert a breathing tube into your child's lungs to pump oxygen into the body when the nerves that control breathing are damaged. Historically, it was done with the iron lung because mechanical ventilator technology was primitive and the breathing tube cannot remain in the lungs for long periods of time.

Currently, if paralysis occurs, a portable breathing machine is available to deliver oxygen to the lungs through a tracheostomy (a hole cut through the neck to allow the breathing machine to be connected to the airway).