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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
- Dec 20, 2022
- 2 min read

Raising funds for sports disability and mobility equipment

Play Badminton Club hosted it's Winter Social event in Harrow on Friday 16 December, as a charity fundraiser in aid of the British Polio Fellowship.

The event saw around 60 members from the local community come together to enjoy an evening of celebration.

This year, Kripen Dhrona, Chief Executive and Linda Davis, Trustee attended on behalf of the British Polio Fellowship. Kripen gave a presentation about the work of the Fellowship and Linda spoke of her memories contracting polio as a child and how it has affected her life.

Kripen commented on the evening saying: "The evening was excellent and very well organised. We had a food buffet, which was delicious, and Linda and I were asked to award one of the prizes for the raffle. A host of Badminton awards were also given to club members.

"Later in the evening, everyone was encouraged to get involved in the Bollywood dancing and it certainly helped me get to know everyone.

"We are very grateful to the Play Badminton Club. It was a really enjoyable evening and I'm looking forward to developing our partnership next year."

Play Badminton Club, a Badminton England affiliated club based in the Harrow or Northwood area, offer adults living in the local community an opportunity to play badminton, regardless of their ability.

Earlier this year the Club agreed a charity partnership with the British Polio Fellowship, to raise funds for sports disability and mobility equipment.

The British Polio Fellowship has been improving the lives of those living with the effects of polio and Post-Polio Syndrome since 1939. It provides members with access to support services, grants, medical advice, and local social activities.

Anyone who wants to use the charity partnership to donate should go to the official JustGiving website page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/play-badminton-club-polio

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