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.

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RECYCLE FOR CHARITY

At the Fellowship we offer a variety of ways you can help us raise funds whilst also doing your bit for the planet. The following recycling schemes help fund important work supporting and empowering polio survivors. No matter how big or small your contribution is, it is all vital in funding this work.

Give A Car

Donate your old car to charity. If you have an old car that you no longer need, why not put it to good use? We will collect it from you free of charge and either auction or scrap it, giving the procedures to the British Polio Fellowship.

With over 8,000 vehicles recycled through the GIVEACAR service, they have raised over £1 million for charities across the UK!

https://giveacar.co.uk/charities/british-polio-fellowship/

tel: 0207 736 4242

Stamp Recycling

Collecting postage stamps is a great way everybody can get involved in raising funds for the Fellowship. Simply save up your stamps throughout the year and then send them in to central office who will recycle them for funds. Please do not send stamps via our free post service as this may cost the Fellowship more than their value. Or better yet out them in next time you send us a letter.

Old/Broken Jewelry and Watches

We have partnered up with Recycle For Good Causes to raise important funds from you old or broken jewelry and watches. Next time you are having a spring clean put any jewelry, watches or old/foreign bank notes into an envelop and send to the following free post address.

FREEPOST RSXA-GJBY-ARRZ

British Polio Fellowship

Unit 14

Amber Business Village

Amber Close

Tamworth

Staffordshire

B77 4RP

Image by Mason B.

Image by Jacek Dylag