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Info About Post-Polio Syndrome
Even many years after recovering from their initial polio infection, a person may go on to develop post-polio syndrome. It is a very slow, progressive condition marked by long periods of stability. The cause is unknown, and there is currently no cure. Researchers estimate that this syndrome affects 25 to 50 percent of polio survivors in the United States.
Common symptoms of post-polio syndrome can include:
- Slowly progressive muscle weakness
- Loss of muscle
- Unaccustomed fatigue
- Joint pain.
Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms through lifestyle changes and supportive care.
(For more info about this illness, click Post-Polio Syndrome. This full-length article gives a complete overview, including a list of factors that may increase your risk of post-polio syndrome.)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD