top of page

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

Accessibility Tools

Search

Watford college annual event raises funds for Polio charity

The British Polio Fellowship

2 days ago2 min read

The West Herts College in Watford annual fundraising event, held on Wednesday 5 March, was a resounding success, raising vital funds for The British Polio Fellowship (BPF).

This year’s event featured a James Bond-themed dinner, organised by final-year BTEC Hospitality and Event Management students at the college.

The evening, which welcomed over 40 guests, was a collaborative effort between the college’s students, staff, and members of the local community. The students not only organised and managed the event but were also assisted by second-year students who helped prepare, serve, and clear the three-course meal.

Held at the college-based restaurant, the event featured a variety of delicious dishes for diners to enjoy, all priced at £28 per head. The meal was followed by a heartfelt presentation from the Fellowship’s CEO, Kripen Dhrona, who spoke about the charity’s ongoing efforts to advise and support people living with late effects of polio and post-polio syndrome.

“We are so grateful to the college, the student team—Grace, Kesem and Tabbi—and all the students who helped make this such a fantastic fundraising event for The British Polio Fellowship,” commented Dhrona.

“Events like this are crucial in supporting the valuable work we do, and we couldn’t do it without the generosity and commitment of those involved.”

In addition to the dinner, attendees enjoyed a lively game of bingo and a raffle. Several staff and polio survivors emerged as winners and in a heartwarming gesture, they generously donated their winnings back to the charity to help raise even more funds for Fellowship members.

Linda Davis, a BPF Trustee, joined Dhrona in thanking everyone for their contributions, while members of the BPF North London Branch and the Watford Group participated enthusiastically throughout the evening.

The fundraising event, which successfully combined fun and philanthropy, demonstrated the power of community spirit and collaboration in making a positive impact on the lives of those supported by BPF.

Recent Posts

Bradford Park Avenue AFC choose BPF as its charity partner

Bradford Park Avenue AFC choose BPF as its charity partner

BPF supports Rare Disease Day

BPF supports Rare Disease Day

Local MP visits British Polio Fellowship's head office

Local MP visits British Polio Fellowship's head office

Comments

bottom of page