post-polio syndrome

pathology

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July 17, 2026

Quick Summary

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects individuals who have previously recovered from polio. It typically emerges 25 to 40 years after the initial infection. PPS is characterized by a gradual return of symptoms, including new muscle weakness, fatigue, and pain in previously affected or unaffected muscle groups.12

The exact cause of PPS is not fully understood, but it is thought to occur when nerve branches that survived the original poliovirus infection begin to deteriorate over time. The poliovirus itself attacks nerve cells in the spinal cord and brainstem, which can lead to paralysis. PPS is not contagious and does not involve a reactivation of the virus. While there is no cure for PPS, it can significantly impact a person's mobility and quality of life.32

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polio
Course of disease
…even decades, a condition called post-polio syndrome has been recognized. Post-polio syndrome manifests itself as increased weakness, muscle atrophy, or other conditions involving the originally affected muscle groups or a different group of muscles. The cause of the syndrome is not known for certain, but it may arise when nerve…
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…even decades, a condition called post-polio syndrome has been recognized. Post-polio syndrome manifests itself as increased weakness, muscle atrophy, or other conditions involving the originally affected muscle groups or a different group of muscles. The cause of the syndrome is not known for certain, but it may arise when nerve…
Read More