Multiple Sclerosis News Today FAQs on Coronavirus
I came across this article and wanted to share it with you. I copied some of the FAQs I thought were probably the ones we’d ask the most but I of course gave you the link to the full article.
FAQs About Coronavirus and MS:
The recent outbreak of a novel coronavirus (nCoV) strain or variant, called COVID-19, has put nations and health organizations around the world on high alert.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients could be at a higher risk of acquiring a nCoV infection if they are on immunomodulatory therapy.
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about this coronavirus and MS, and what to do to prevent infection.
Is there a link between MS and coronaviruses?
MS is caused by the body’s immune system mistakenly attacking the myelin sheath, the protective covering of nerve fibers.
Early research has suggested that coronaviruses, which come in many types, can infect the nervous system and may contribute to the development of MS symptoms in some patients.
A more recent study has shown that a particular strain of the human coronavirus (HCoV), associated with respiratory tract infections, might be able to infect the brain and induce neurological diseases with unknown origins, such as MS, encephalitis, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 or coronavirus disease 2019, officially designated SARS-CoV-2 (for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), is a strain of the virus first identified in Wuhan, capital of the Hubei Province in China, in December 2019.
COVID-19 is a new strain of the virus, one not previously seen in humans. It is still unclear how it causes disease.
What are the symptoms of a COVID-19 infection?
Symptoms of a typical COVID-19 infection include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms can appear between two to 14 days after exposure to the virus and are usually mild. But they can be severe in some people.
Am I at higher risk of COVID-19 as an MS patient?
You may be at a higher risk of acquiring a COVID-19 infection if you are on an approved disease-modifying therapy, such as immunomodulatory medications. This is because these therapies weaken parts of the immune system, and may make you more susceptible to any infection.
That said, this particular strain of the coronavirus is very new. Not much information is available as to exactly how it might affect people with MS.
Should I get tested for COVID-19 if I have MS?
You should immediately get tested for COVID-19 if you experience any of the symptoms described above. You should also get tested if you have been in close contact with someone known to be infected with COVID-19, or have recently traveled to areas with ongoing outbreaks.
