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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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British Polio Fellowship exhibits at RCN Congress 2025

The British Polio Fellowship
1 day ago
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BPF Trustee, Frances Quinn & Liverpool member Howard Parker (both pictured) help man the exhibition stand

The British Polio Fellowship (BPF) participated as an exhibitor at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Congress 2025, held from 12 to 14 May at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool. This annual event brought together over 3,000 nursing professionals to engage in debates, attend educational sessions, and network with healthcare organisations.

At their exhibition stand, the BPF made nurses aware of polio survivors and the special care that sometimes is needed when a polio survivor is treated in hospital. They also highlighted the BPF Optimal Clinical Pathway for Polio Survivors, a comprehensive framework designed to guide GPs, consultants and other healthcare providers in delivering timely and effective care to individuals experiencing the late effects of polio and Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS).

The pathway has garnered endorsements from leading medical organisations, including the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), and the British Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (BSPRM).

The BPF's presence at the RCN Congress demonstrated its commitment to raising awareness about PPS and fighting for the needs of polio survivors across the UK. By engaging directly with nursing, the BPF aims to build a better understanding of PPS symptoms and promote the use of its pathway into patient care.

The Exhibition stand was manned over three days by: Kripen Dhrona (BPF CEO), Carol Levin (BPF Communications and Information Manager) and Frances Quinn (BPF Trustee and member). They were joined for a day each by Mike Griffiths (member) and Howard Parker (member).

For more information on the Optimal Clinical Pathway for Polio Survivors, visit: https://www.britishpolio.org.uk/optimal-clinical-pathway

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