Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health cover, says that while the polio vaccine has drastically curtailed the spread of this deadly disease, many who contracted polio at a young age may acquire post-polio syndrome later in life.

What Is Polio?

Polio (also known as poliomyelitis) is a dangerous and highly contagious disease caused by infection with one of three poliovirus types. The virus spreadsthrough person-to-person contact. It lives in an infected person’s throat and intestines.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Polio?

From mild flu-like symptoms to life-threatening paralysis, the symptoms of polio range in severity. According to the World Health Organization, polio causes lifelong paralysis of the limbs, legs, or respiratory muscles in less than 1% of cases and is fatal in between 5 and 10% of cases.

How Polio Propagates

A person may acquire symptoms between three and 21 days after exposure to the virus and will be most contagious seven to ten days before and after the onset of symptoms.

People are contagious as long as the virus is excreted in their faeces, which can last up to six weeks. The virus typically lingers in the throat for one to two weeks.

What Is Post-Polio Syndrome?

Post-polio syndrome is a collection of potentially incapacitating signs and symptoms that manifest decades after the initial polio infection. These signs and symptoms typically manifest 30 to 40 years after polio infection.⁴

Symptoms Of Post-Polio Syndrome 

Common post-polio syndrome signs and symptoms include:

• Muscle and joint pain and weakness that worsens over time
• Fatigue
• Loss of muscular tissue (atrophy)
• Problems breathing or swallowing
• Sleep apnea

Risk Factors

The following factors can raise your risk of acquiring post-polio syndrome:

Initial polio infection severity: The severity of the initial infection correlates with the likelihood of developing post-polio syndrome.

Age at the commencement of the first illness: If you contracted polio as an adolescent or adult, your likelihood of getting post-polio syndrome is higher than those who contracted the disease in early childhood.

Recovery: Ironically, the quicker your recovery from acute polio, the greater the likelihood that you may develop post-polio syndrome. This may be because a greater rate of recovery increases the strain on motor neurons.

Extreme physical exertion: You may raise your risk for post-polio syndrome if you frequently exercise to the point of extreme lethargy.

Complications Of Post-Polio Syndrome

Post-polio syndrome is infrequently fatal, but significant muscle weakness can result in complications:

Falls: Leg muscle weakness makes it more likely that you will lose your balance and fall. You may then shatter a bone, such as your hip, resulting in additional difficulties.

Fatigue: Post-polio syndrome patients frequently experience fatigue. The tiredness may be incapacitating even after minimal effort. It may also cause focus and memory difficulties.

Pain: Musculoskeletal disorders and muscular weakness can contribute to persistent discomfort.

Malnutrition: People who have experienced bulbar polio, which affects the nerves that lead to the muscles involved in chewing and swallowing, frequently struggle with eating and may develop malnutrition.

Chronic respiratory failure: Weak diaphragm and chest muscles make it more difficult to take deep breaths and cough, which can lead to fluid and mucus accumulation in the lungs.

Osteoporosis: Loss of bone density and osteoporosis are frequently associated with prolonged inactivity and immobility in both men and women. If you have post-polio syndrome, discuss bone density screening with your doctor.

Sleep problems: Post-polio syndrome is often accompanied by sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome. Untreated, these sleep disturbances may exacerbate insomnia and exhaustion.

Immunisation Against Polio

Immunisation is the most effective means of preventing polio. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges parents to immunise all infants and young children. Children should receive the polio vaccine at two, four, and six months of age. 

At age four, all children should receive a booster dose of diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, and polio vaccines (4-in-1 vaccine)

Catch-up immunisation using combination vaccinations is offered for children up to and including nine years of age.

Immunisation Against Polio For Adults

It is suggested that all adults ensure they have received the polio vaccine. The polio immunisation for adults consists of three injections administered four weeks apart. 

“In South Africa, the last case of polio was reported in 1989. However, as long as there are occurrences of polio anywhere in the world, this dangerous virus can be easily imported and spread within a polio-free country. It’s crucial that parents ensure their children are up to date with all the necessary vaccinations and have themselves been vaccinated. Consult with your health care provider If you have not had at least three doses of polio vaccination, or if your child needs catch-up doses,” concludes Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health.