Post-Polio Syndrome

Post-polio syndrome can affect polio survivors many years after recovering from an initial acute attack of the poliovirus. This syndrome is characterized by new muscle pain, worsening of existing weakness, and new weakness or paralysis. The cause is unknown, and there is currently no cure. Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms. Researchers estimate that post-polio syndrome affects 25 to 50 percent of polio survivors in the United States.

 

Post-Polio Syndrome

Post-polio syndrome is a condition that affects some polio survivors many years after recovery from an initial acute attack of the poliovirus. Decades later, 25 percent to 40 percent of people who contracted paralytic poliomyelitis in childhood will develop:
 
  • New muscle pain
  • Worsening of existing weakness
  • New weakness or paralysis.
 
Post-polio syndrome is not an infectious disease, and people who are experiencing post-polio syndrome do not shed poliovirus.
 

Cause of Post-Polio Syndrome

The cause of post-polio syndrome is not known. However, research scientists believe the new weakness seen in post-polio syndrome is related to the damage of individual nerve terminals in the motor units that remain after the initial poliovirus infection.
 

Risk Factors for Post-Polio Syndrome

While risk factors do not cause post-polio syndrome, certain factors can increase a person's risk for developing post-polio syndrome. Risk factors include:
 
  • Increasing length of time since acute poliovirus infection
  • Presence of permanent disability after recovery from the original polio virus infection
  • Being female.
 
(Post-Polio Syndrome Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD