Post-polio syndrome is an illness in the nervous system. It can arise 15 to 50 years after you had polio. It affects your muscles and nerves, and it causes you to have low energy, fatigue, and muscle or joint pain. But there are ways you can stay active with this condition.

 

Only people who have had polio can get post-polio syndrome. But having post-polio syndrome doesn't mean that you have polio again. Unlike polio, post-polio syndrome does not spread from person to person.

 

Post-polio syndrome most likely arises from the damage left over from having polio.

 

The polio virus harms the nerves that control muscles, and it makes the muscles weak. If you had polio, you may have gained back the use of your muscles. But the nerves that connect to the muscles could be damaged without your knowing it. The nerves may break down over time and cause you to have weak muscles again.

 

Researchers are studying other possible causes of post-polio syndrome. One theory is that the immune system plays a role. WebMD