WHAT IS POST POLIO SYNDROME
Post Polio Syndrome is a poorly understood condition that can affect people who have had polio in the past.
Polio is a viral infection that used to be common in the UK, but is now rare.
Most people who had Polio would have fought off the infection without even realising they were infected.
Some people with Polio would have had paralysis, muscle weakness and shrinking of the muscles. But usually, these problems would have either gone away over the following weeks or months, or remained the same for years afterwards.
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Post Polio Syndrome is where some of these symptoms return or get worse many years or decades after the original polio infection.
SYMPTOMS OF POST POLIO SYNDROME
Post Polio Syndrome can include a wide range of symptoms that develop gradually over time, including:
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persistent fatigue (extreme tiredness)
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muscle weakness
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shrinking muscles
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muscle and joint pain
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The condition can have a significant impact on everyday life, making it very difficult to get around and carry out certain tasks and activities. The symptoms tend to get gradually worse over many years, but this happens very slowly and treatment may help slow it down further.
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Post Polio Syndrome is rarely life-threatening, although some people develop breathing and swallowing difficulties that can lead to serious problems, such as chest infections.
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WHO'S AFFECTED
Post Polio Syndrome only affects people who've had polio. It usually develops 15 to 40 years after the infection.
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The condition has become more common in the UK in recent years, because of the high number of Polio cases that occurred during the 1940s and 1950s, before routine vaccination was introduced. It's estimated that there are around 120,000 people living in the UK who survived Polio when they were younger. Some of these have, or will develop, Post Polio Syndrome.
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It's not known exactly how many Polio survivors are or will be affected by Post Polio Syndrome. Estimates vary from as low as 15% to as high as 80%.
WHAT CAUSES POST-POLIO SYNDROME?
The exact cause of post Polio Syndrome is unclear. It's not known whether anything can be done to prevent it.
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The leading theory is that it's the result of the gradual deterioration of nerve cells in the spinal cord (motor neurones) that were damaged by the Polio virus. This would explain why the condition can take years to appear.
Post Polio Syndrome isn't contagious. The theory that the Polio virus may lie dormant in your body, causing Post Polio Syndrome when it becomes reactivated at a later stage, has been disproven.
It's not clear why only some people who've had polio develop Post Polio Syndrome. Those who had severe Polio when they were younger may be more likely to develop the condition.
Contacts us: 0800 043 1935
Email us: info@britishpolio.org.uk
INDOOR GAMES
We are very pleased to announce that the National Indoor Games will once again take place on the 20th - 22nd March 2026 at the Leicester Marriott Hotel.
The games are a great way for Polio survivors to come together make new friends and compete in a variety of competitive games whilst focusing on what’s most important, Fellowship. Our National Indoor Games have been a cornerstone of Fellowship events for decades and many of our long time members have been there from the start. This year we are hoping to bring you the same games but ensure that we make them as open and inclusive to all of those in membership as possible.
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The games hold a special place in many of our members hearts and we would love to share some of this magic with our other members. If you are new to the games and are unsure or considering attending next year please do make the decision to we promise you won’t be disappointed.
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We want to make sure that everyone attending the games gets to take part and compete in their preferred discipline however in order to ensure the games run successfully we are asking those attending to select their top three chosen games so we can ensure you are allocated something you want. When filling in your form please chose three games form the options below:
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Scrabble
Darts Standing
Darts sitting
Dominoes (Teams of 2)
Draughts
Cribbage
Kurling*
Boccia*
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Please be aware that members who do not have polio are welcome to take part in the games apart from those with a * above however competitive spots will be given priority to polio survivors. If you are not interested in competing but would like to find out more about being an official at the games please get in touch with central office. ​
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INDOOR GAMES APPLICATION FORM​
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Please send applications via email to:
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or by post to
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The British Polio Fellowship
CP House
Otterspool Way
Watford
WD25 8HR
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PLEASE SUBMIT ALL APPLICATIONS TO ATTEND THE GAMES BY THE 31st JANUARY 2026
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