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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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Kamran Mallick is new patron of the BPF

The British Polio Fellowship
Jun 19
1 min read

Kamran Mallick, new British Polio Fellowship Patron

The British Polio Fellowship, a UK-wide charity supporting polio survivors, is delighted to announce Kamran Mallick as its new Patron.

Kamran, who has served as Chief Executive of Disability Rights UK since July 2017, brings decades of experience and dedication to disability rights. A passionate advocate for inclusion and equality, Kamran is also a polio survivor, having contracted the virus at the age of three—a personal connection that underpins his commitment to supporting others living with the long-term effects of the disease.

Before joining Disability Rights UK, Kamran led Action on Disability, a Hammersmith-based organisation, for 13 years. During his leadership, he secured a purpose-built home for the charity, launched an inclusive youth service, and partnered with leading companies such as GSK and L’Oréal to create supported internships for young disabled people.

Kamran’s impact has earned national recognition: he was featured in the Shaw Trust Power 100 list of the UK’s most influential disabled people in 2018 and ranked in the top 10 in 2020.

His career also includes work with the spinal injury charity Aspire, and today, as CEO of Disability Rights UK—the only UK-wide organisation led by disabled people—Kamran continues to lead campaigns for equality, inclusion, and systemic change.

The British Polio Fellowship warmly welcomes Kamran in his new role and looks forward to working with him to enhance support for polio survivors across the UK.

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