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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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Polio in music

The British Polio Fellowship
Apr 8
2 min read

In April, British Polio Fellowship member, Moz Copestake is taking part in two polio-related events with the theme "Polio in Music."

On Saturday 12 April, he will give an audio-visual presentation at the monthly meeting of the BPF’s North London Branch in Potters Bar. Then, on the following Friday (Good Friday) 18 April, Moz will host a show on Radio Dacorum from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, with guest Dr. Simon Shaw, a Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine, who played a key role in developing the Optimal Clinical Pathway for polio survivors.

Moz is a polio survivor who contracted the disease in 1953. He is now retired but remains active as a volunteer presenter for Radio Dacorum, a community radio station that streams online. This means listeners can tune in to his show from anywhere in the UK or around the world.

In 2018, Moz faced a battle throat cancer, but after surgery and radiotherapy, he was given the all-clear two years ago.

Moz explained, “I’ve always loved music and host a show called ‘Moz the Hippy’ on Friday afternoons. It’s not just all about late-sixties Summer of Love songs, though that’s where my roots lie.

“You may be surprised to learn that many famous musicians contracted polio before the vaccine was introduced in the mid-1950s. Ian Dury, who sadly passed away at the turn of the millennium, is perhaps the most famous example, but there are several other notable figures—some of whom are still active today.

“So, tune in, relax, and enjoy music that speaks of peace and love.”

Saturday 12 April: To attend Moz’s talk in Potters Bar, call the British Polio Fellowship for details on 0800 43 1935.
Friday 18 April 3:00 to 5:00 pm: Tune in at to Moz’s Radio Decorum show with Dr Simon Shaw at www.radiodacorum.org.uk and select the ‘Listen Live’ button.

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1 Comment

moz

Apr 10

Looking forward to having the company of a few new listeners and would welcome questions via the website's "Message" button while we're on air. I plan to post a link to the show after it has aired to give people the option of listening on Catch-up.

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