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.
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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:
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persistent fatigue (extreme tiredness)
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muscle weakness
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shrinking muscles
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muscle and joint pain
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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.
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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.
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WHO'S AFFECTED
Post Polio Syndrome only affects people who've had polio. It usually develops 15 to 40 years after the infection.
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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.
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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.
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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
WINTER WARMTH APPEAL
For over 30 years The British Polio Fellowship has provided its Heating Grant Program . A remarkable achievement that has enabled us to offer help and support, over three decades, to thousands of members who struggle with the increasing cost of heating during the cold winter months.
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The aim of this scheme is to supplement the cost of additional warmth, needed during the winter months for people living with polio, in households not eligible for the government Winter Fuel Payment.
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The need for warmth is particularly accentuated for polio survivors and those suffering from PPS. Not only is there a legacy of severely restricted movement for many of our Members, which in itself causes the body to be colder, but muscles surrounding the blood vessels don’t work effectively enough to help the body deal with extremes of temperature thereby causing long term damage.
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Many Members’ ability to be active is restricted at the best of times, with the result that cold normally has a disproportionately high impact on them. On top of this, they are additionally impacted by the combination of probable continued Covid-19 related isolation (which will of itself require more heating of homes as people spend more time in them), linked to the likelihood that as the economy shrinks, austerity will impact on those on benefits. Consequently, this winter is setting out to be the most difficult in years for those of our Members in greatest need.
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We know that these are difficult times for many, but making a donation to the Heating Appeal is the best way to help our most vulnerable and deserving Members be able to afford crucial heating during the winter, and that is what every penny will be spent on.
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We are aiming to reach a target of £10,000 which should enable us to provide those Members in need with meaningful support in tough times.
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If you would like to support this appeal you can by either phoning our central office to make a telephone donation on 0800 043 1935 / 01923889501.
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Alternatively you can download the following forms to make a one off donation or set up a annual or monthly direct debit to support this cause.
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Please send completed forms to:
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Winter Warmth Appeal
The British Polio Fellowship
CP House
Otterspool Way
WD25 8HR
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