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
OUR PARTNERS
Our partners help support and fund the work we do supporting and empowering those living with polio and PPS. If you would like to build a partnership with us please follow the link to find out ways in which you can support the BPF and what we can offer you.
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THE ABLE LABEL
For forty years, Fish Insurance has been providing specialist insurance in the UK , to those with pre-existing medical conditions, mobility issues and disabilities. Today we’re proud to be trusted with looking after over 80,000 insurance policies, making us one of the UK’s biggest disability and independent living insurance providers.
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Every policy we offer has been specifically designed to meet the unique and specific requirements of disabled people whether they are looking to insure a manual wheelchair, powered wheelchair, mobility scooter, in-home products such as stair lifts and hoists or cover for a wheelchair accessible vehicle. We also provide liability insurance to protect people who employ their own personal assistants in the home.
FISH INSURANCE
WEST HERTS COLLEGE
West Herts College is a college in Watford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. The College has campuses in Watford, Hemel Hempstead and Kings Langley.
Courses offered are vocational and apprenticeships. The College works with local secondary schools to offer entry to applicants of 14 years of age and older. Some school pupils may transfer their full-time education to the College in order to restart their education or to take some vocational subjects at Level 1, either as full subjects or as "tasters" (to judge suitability). A few GCSE subjects are offered to gifted pupils.
SIGNATURE ESTATES
Craig Chesson and Alan Maher launched Signature Estates in Watford to offer a comprehensive moving service to Landlords and Homeowners in Watford and the Surrounding Areas. With a combined total of over 70 years' worth of property knowledge we provide a friendly and efficient service with a view to taking the stress away from moving home.
The Able Label started when The Able Label founder, Katie Ellis, was a fashion buyer for the High Street clothing retailer, White Stuff. Her grandmother had been diagnosed with Parkinson's and Katie saw that dressing was becoming increasingly difficult for her. So she searched for solutions but found there was nothing that fit the bill. Nothing stylish that was designed to be put on and taken off easily.
So that's when Katie decided to do something about it. She designed, developed and tested a range of great-looking, adaptive clothing that so many people like her grandmother would love to wear yet also find it easy to live with.
And that's how The Able Label was born.
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The Able Label range has been designed to help with a variety of physical and cognitive needs and also aims to encourage self-confidence and independence. The quality fabrics, discreet adaptive designs, innovative fastenings and hidden extras make dressing easier for those who may suffer from restricted movement or lack of finger dexterity.
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The design of the garments has also taken carers' requirements into account so assisted dressing is quicker, easier and safer. Yet when they're being worn, no one would know they were adapted... it's our secret!
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Use code BPF1939 to get 10% off your order.
ACORN STAIRLIFTS
Since our earliest days in 1992, Acorn has strived to set new standards in quality and innovation for the stairlift industry. Our pioneering designs and engineering excellence have led the way and helped Acorn grow to become the world's leading independent company specialising solely in the manufacture and installation of stairlifts.
THE CORDWAINER
Bespoke Orthopaedic Footwear Specialist. The Cordwainer is one of the UK's most experienced orthopaedic shoemakers. Our company has helped hundreds of people find mobility and comfort does not come at the expense of style and good looks.
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We are proud of the reputation we have for helping clients with the most difficult feet and related problems finding shoes they can wear. Maybe we can help you too?
WATFORD FOOTBALL CLUB
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club in Watford, Hertfordshire. The club recognises its foundation as 1881, aligned with that of its antecedent, Watford Rovers, and was established as Watford Football Club in 1898.
PLAY BADMINTON CLUB
Play Badminton Club is a social badminton club in Northwood and Pinner with sessions for all abilities and ages. They are our newest partner and we are very excited to begin working with them to help support and empower those living with polio