top of page

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.

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:

persistent fatigue (extreme tiredness)
muscle weakness
shrinking muscles
muscle and joint pain
sleep apnoea

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.

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.

WHO'S AFFECTED

Post Polio Syndrome only affects people who've had polio. It usually develops 15 to 40 years after the infection.

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.

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.

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

Accessibility Tools

Search

The British Polio Fellowship
- 5 days ago
- 1 min read

BPF announces 2024's Barbara Wood Citizens Award winners

The British Polio Fellowship Barbara Wood Citizens Awards 2024 took place on Saturday 14 September at the Village Hotel Walsall in the West Midlands.

Having collated the nominations for the award categories (polio and non-polio) the winners were announced during this years’ British Polio Fellowship’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Information Day.

At the event, Kripen explained: “All the entries had gone the extra mile for the British Polio Fellowship (BPF) and their hard work and effort is much appreciated.” The final decision is made by a panel to ensure a fair and transparent award process.

The late Georgina Hay won the highly coveted polio member Barbara Wood Citizen award. Georgina joined the British Polio Fellowship as a child in the 1950s and over the years she volunteered as Secretary for the Paisley Branch and the Scottish Region and also became an Area Trustee for the North of England and Scotland. Sadly, Georgina passed away in July 2024. This award celebrates her many achievements and contribution.

Joseph Penton-Rowley picked up the non-polio member Barbara Wood Citizen award for his unwavering dedication and the support of his local Branch of the British Polio Fellowship. Joseph has been an integral part of the branch for many years, consistently going above and beyond to provide assistance, guidance, and encouragement to members. He is a truly deserving winner of this prestigious award.

The British Polio Fellowship celebrate this year's winner and is grateful for all its volunteers for their enormous contribution and positive impact they have on the lives of polio survivors.

PHOTO: Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash

Recent Posts

Richard Flint awards celebrate artistic flair of polio survivors

ParalympicsGB win silver medal in wheelchair basketball final

Available vaccines this Autumn/Winter

Comments

bottom of page