Post Polio Syndrome

Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) is a neurological condition that can occur in people who have had Polio. After a long time without any significant change in their condition, people may develop new symptoms of increasing weakness, stamina problems, fatigue and pain. PPS is often difficult to recognise as symptoms may develop slowly and may be mistaken for other conditions. Before making a diagnosis of PPS it is important to exclude any other conditions that could explain your symptoms.

What else do we know about PPS? PPS can occur at any age and can be an issue for people who had either paralytic or seemingly non-paralytic Polio.


Research on who is most likely to experience PPS is not always clear and can be contradictory. Findings vary, but have shown that PPS may develop in a significant number of people with Polio. It is suggested that PPS may affect more women than men. People who have had fatigue or pain in the years since they contracted Polio, or where physical activity has caused extreme tiredness and pain, seem to be at increased risk of developing PPS, or may already be experiencing it. PPS also seems to develop more quickly in people who had Polio during the epidemics of the 1950s. What are the symptoms of PPS?


Symptoms may include the following: • breathing problems • swallowing problems • muscle loss • new or increasing weakness • muscle fatigue • muscle pain • joint pain • cold intolerance • sleep disturbance • general fatigue Other symptoms, such as urinary problems, may or may not be linked to PPS.