In MS, a disease of the central nervous system that affects many areas of the brain and spinal cord, it is important for patients to comply with precautions these days as the Covid-19 outbreak is being fought.
Noting that MS patients should keep their doctor controls more strictly in this process, experts recommend that patients using immunosuppressive drugs should comply with the measures.
May 30 is commemorated as World MS Day by the International Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Federation and the World Health Organization. MS, a disease of the central nervous system that affects many areas of the brain and spinal cord, is characterized by symptoms such as blurred vision, double vision, visual disturbances such as shifting images, weakness in one or both legs, unsteadiness in walking, tremors in one or both hands, numbness, incontinence or inability to urinate.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Neurology Specialist Dr. Celal Şalçini made recommendations for MS patients in these days of struggle against the coronavirus epidemic.
Those who use immunosuppressive drugs should be careful
Noting that there is no information so far that the coronavirus worsens MS or triggers attacks, Dr. Celal Şalçini said that patients using immunosuppressive MS drugs should keep precautions strict.
Dr. Celal Şalçini said, "MS patients are not recommended extra precautions other than the routine recommended measures to protect against the Covid-19 pandemic. It is only beneficial for patients who use some immunosuppressant drugs, that is, MS drugs that suppress immunity, to keep the precautions stricter. In addition, MS patients need to keep their doctor controls more strictly in this process."
Social distance should be maintained, attention should be paid to hand hygiene
Referring to the precautions to be taken during this period, Dr. Celal Şalçini said, "It is necessary to maintain social distance, avoid crowded places, do not go out of the house unless necessary, and pay utmost attention to hand hygiene. In patients who need to receive corticosteroid treatment with MS attack treatment, it is recommended to keep the duration of treatment as short as possible (maximum 5 days)."
