What is the Difference Between Post-Polio Sequelae and Post-Polio Syndrome?

A Bruno Byte
From Richard L. Bruno, HD, PhD
Director, International Centre for Polio Education

“POST-POLIO SEQUELAE” was coined by the always-insightful Dr. David Bodian, at the First Warm Springs Conference on PPS in 1984. It means "the sequel" to having had polio and refers to all of the things that could possibly happen to a person as a result of their having had polio (not just fatigue, muscle weakness and pain) but also brain stem damage causing slowing of their guts, heightened sensitivity to pain and to anesthesia.

“POST-POLIO SYNDROME” has many definitions but typically refers to muscle weakness and, depending on who's suggesting the definition it could also cause fatigue and pain.

Post-Polio Syndrome is a subset of Post-Polio Sequelae. It is important to note that Post-Polio Sequelae is the diagnosis used by the US Social Security Administration to determine sedentary work disability.