post polio syndrome

[Awaken]

Our daycare provider was just diagnosed with post polio syndrome- apparently she had a mild case of polio when she was a child. This has made me wonder if avoiding post polio syndrome later in life is a reason to consider the polio vaccine? It seems like it can be pretty debilitating.

Although, I know the risk of kids contracting polio in the first place is slim.

[JustJamie]

Check this site out: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/p...post_polio.htm

Fairly informative, but it doesn't mention whether vaccination will prevent PPS. I'm going to send an email and ask if it's known what impact vaccination would have on PPS.

[LizD]

My midwife had polio and is in a wheelchair. Though she doesn't encourage vaccinations, interestingly her daughter insisted on the polio vaccine for herself, I heard.

I don't know if I prefer relying on the herd immunity until the disease is completely eradicated, or if I'm going to go ahead and vaccinate since that vaccine is reasonably safe.

[alegna]

PPS is only a consideration IF you've had polio and IF it had paralytic components is my understanding (as it's the muscles that were orignially involved that first have problems in PPS) SO, since there are NO cases of polio in the US for decades, I wouldn't think this is a valid consideration.

-Angela

[JustJamie]

Originally Posted by alegna

PPS is only a consideration IF you've had polio and IF it had paralytic components is my understanding (as it's the muscles that were orignially involved that first have problems in PPS) SO, since there are NO cases of polio in the US for decades, I wouldn't think this is a valid consideration.

-Angela

Actually, that's not the case according to the website I linked previously:

Emphasis is mine.

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects polio survivors years after recovery from an initial acute attack of the poliomyelitis virus. PPS is mainly characterized by new weakening in muscles that were previously affected by the polio infection and in muscles that seemingly were unaffected. Symptoms include slowly progressive muscle weakness, unaccustomed fatigue (both generalized and muscular), and, at times, muscle atrophy. Pain from joint degeneration and increasing skeletal deformities such as scoliosis are common. Some patients experience only minor symptoms. While less common, others may develop visible muscle atrophy, or wasting.

[alegna]

Thanks. What's not mentioned in that link, is if any people who have had polio withOUT any paralysis have PPS. I would think not, but I'd be interested to see any documentation. It mentions mild cases, but it doesn't specifiy whether they were paralytic in nature or not.

-Angela

[LongIsland]

Originally Posted by alegna

Thanks. What's not mentioned in that link, is if any people who have had polio withOUT any paralysis have PPS. I would think not, but I'd be interested to see any documentation.

Me too. From what I've read, it occurs in individuals who have had paralytic polio.

Also noteworthy:

Diagnosis of post-polio syndrome can be difficult, since the symptoms are hard to separate from the original symptoms of polio and from the normal infirmities of aging. There is no laboratory test for post-polio syndrome, nor is there any other specific diagnostic, so diagnosis is usually a "diagnosis of exclusion" where other possible causes of the symptoms are eliminated.

The precise mechanism that causes post-polio syndrome is unknown. It shares many features in common with myalgic encephalitis, a form of chronic fatigue syndrome that is apparently caused by viral infections, but unlike those disorders it tends to be progressive, and can cause tangible loss of muscle strength.

[LongIsland]

Also,

PPS is mainly characterized by new weakening in muscles that were previously affected by the polio infection and in muscles that seemingly were unaffected. Symptoms include slowly progre

That statement doesn't imply that the individual didn't have paralytic polio previously. It implies that there are certain muscles which may have been previously unaffected . . . not all muscles.

[midwifetx]

My father had polio, and one of his legs is considerably smaller than the other.

Guess where he got polio? The doctor in town was a wealthy man. He imported live vaccine for his children before it was redily available to the general public, and their viral shed gave the disease to many many people in their circle of friends. nice.

Anyway, all this to say that even though I have lived with the devistating effects of polio on my family, I have still chosen non-vaccination for my children. They are welcome, however, to choose vaccination for themselves as they grow up. This year's homeschool curriculum for my oldest includes vaccination and VPD education so that she can begin to form her own opinion.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by LongIsland

Me too. From what I've read, it occurs in individuals who have had paralytic polio.

Thanks LI. That was my impression.

And FWIW in the several individuals I know with PPS, it started in their originally involved areas (a friend's dad for instance, used to use crutches, but he has had further trouble with his legs and now uses a wheelchair or scooter 90% of the time- the switch was due to leg issues, not decrease in arm strength)

-Angela

[alegna]

Originally Posted by JustJamie

Actually, that's not the case according to the website I linked previously:

Emphasis is mine.

Actually, you'll note that my quote says:
"as it's the muscles that were orignially involved that first have problems in PPS"

I didn't claim that other muscles were NOT involved, just that it often begins with the originally involved ones.

-Angela