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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

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The British Polio Fellowship
- Apr 30
- 2 min read

BPF’s Gordon Richardson receives his MBE from Princess Anne

Updated: May 1

Dr Gordon Richardson, Chair of The British Polio Fellowship was presented with an MBE at Windsor Castle by Princess Anne.

A dedicated volunteer, Gordon Richardson received his MBE after being named in the King’s New Year’s Honours list for services to disability access in the Bristol area.

Gordon’s investiture took place at Windsor Castle on Wednesday 17 April, with his award presented by Princess Anne.

An example of Gordon’s campaigning helped to improve Bristol’s public transport system. Bristol buses only one wheelchair bay which meant at busy times the space could be taken, resulting in wheelchair users having to wait for the next bus to come along. Today, there are 170 double-bay buses in Bristol’s fleet.

On receiving his MBE he said: “I'm so pleased and proud to have received this award.

“It was a massive surprise, and I'd like to thank those people who nominated me.

“Windsor Castle is very impressive, and Princess Anne took the time to speak to me about the work I do for disability access in the Bristol area.”

Gordon has several senior charity roles, including Treasurer of the Bristol Walking Alliance. A consortium of organisations and individuals, campaigning to improve the walking environment across Bristol (for example for disabled people).

He is also National Chair for the British Polio Fellowship, while serving as its West Region Treasurer and Bristol Branch Chairman. He is Treasurer for the Bristol West Diabetes Support Network, co-Chair of a not-for profit organisation, Bristol Disability Equality Forum, and an acting Disability Commissioner for Bristol.

In 2016, Gordon received a commendation from the Lord Mayor of Bristol for 15 years’ service as a pre-school governor and the representative for nursery schools on the Bristol Schools Forum. Later in 2023, he was presented with a degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Bristol.

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