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

Oct 2, 20232 min read

BPF campaigns for better access to mental health services

The British Polio Fellowship and other charities have signed an open letter calling for better access to mental health services for those people affected by a neurological condition.

The letter is part of a campaign, led by the Huntington's Disease Association and has been signed by the Fellowship and around 50 other charities including The Neurological Alliance, MND Association and Parkinson's UK.

It calls on Steve Barclay, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to ease the path for those with a neurological condition, such as Post-Polio Syndrome, in accessing mental health services and reaching the right kind of help, when it's needed.

The letter was delivered to the minister on Friday 29 September, ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10 October. It stated: "This year’s theme is 'Mental health is a universal human right.' However, this right is being denied to some because of the type of condition they live with.

"One in six people in the UK live with a neurological condition and mental health issues are common. In the Neurological Alliance Neurological Patient Experience Survey 2021, My Neuro Survey, 81% of respondents said their neurological condition affected their mental wellbeing.

"Despite this commonality, many are being denied access to mental health services and this is happening across the country. Even if a person with a neurological condition experiences common mental health issues - such as anxiety or depression - clinicians may not refer them for mental health services simply because of the nature of their illness and some who are referred are refused access".

The open letter then went on to ask the minister to review eligibility criteria for NHS Mental Health Trusts, provide specialist training and support for healthcare professionals, and offer more specialist mental health staff and services for people affected by a neurological condition.

Recent Posts

Be safe charging your mobility scooter or wheelchair

Big win for the #BackThe1in6 campaign

Patron Robin Askwith donates show proceeds to charity

Comments

bottom of page