Breathing problems are common, especially among those with a history of bulbar polio, a form of polio that affects the spinal cord in the upper neck and thereby weakens the breathing muscles.
Üsna tavalised on ka hingamisraskused, seda eriti neil, kellel poliomüeliit on haaranud piklikaju, nii et kahjustunud on seljaaju kaela ülaosas, mistõttu hingamislihased on nõrgestatud.