Source Multiple Sclerosis International Federation: The coronavirus and MS – what you need to know
The ‘novel coronavirus’ (recently named by the World Health Organization as COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that has not previously been seen in humans. COVID-19 is a strain of coronavirus that was first detected in China in December 2019, and has since spread to other parts of the world.
What does COVID-19 mean for people living with MS?
As this strain of the coronavirus is new, we still need to learn more about how it may affect people with MS.
Many disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for MS work by suppressing or modifying the immune system. We know that people with MS who are receiving these therapies can face an increased risk of complications related to viral infections.
If you are taking a DMT and are either exposed to COVID-19 or are confirmed to have the COVID-19 infection, please contact your neurologist or other medical professionals. Read on.