COVID-19 information for people with MS

Last updated: 2/04/20 (Reviewed: 2/04/20) 

 

This page contains general advice. We cannot make individual medical recommendations.
If after reading this info you have concerns, please discuss them with your medical team (neuro, GP, etc.), your state/territory MS organisation, or contact the Coronavirus Hotline: 1800 675 398. 

This page is updated as new information becomes available.  It includes advice collated from a number of reputable sources, including an independent group of neurologists from Australia and New Zealand, and another international group led by MSIF.

People with underlying lung and heart conditions and those aged over 60 years are more likely to experience complications and become severely ill with the COVID-19 virus. This group is likely to include many people living with MS, especially those with additional health complications, mobility issues and those taking some MS treatments.

All people with MS are advised to pay particular attention to guidelines for reducing the risk of infection with COVID-19. Older people with MS, especially those who also have lung or heart diseases should take extra care to minimise their exposure to the virus.

General advice & FAQs:

How can I protect myself from getting COVID-19?

The World Health Organization recommendations include:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth unless your hands are clean

• Try to keep at least 1 metre distance between yourself and others, particularly those who are coughing and sneezing

• When coughing and/or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue

• Practise food safety by using different chopping boards for raw meat and cooked foods and wash your hands between handling them.

In addition, we recommend that people with MS should:

• Avoid public gatherings and crowds

• Avoid using public transport where possible

• Where possible, use alternatives to face-to-face routine medical appointments (for example, telephone appointments).

Caregivers and family members who live with, or regularly visit, a person with MS should also follow these recommendations to reduce the chance of bringing COVID-19 infection into the home.

In order to minimise the risk of being infected by COVID-19, you should follow the standard precautions  advised by the Australian Government. This is the best source of advice on how to keep yourself safe and will be updated daily. You can also stay informed by downloading the official government “Coronavirus Australia” app in the Apple App Store or Google Play, or joining their WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android.

What if I develop symptoms of COVID-19 infection or have a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 infection?

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 infection or have a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 infection you should:

• Follow the standard self-isolation advice.

• Follow the advice of the diagnosing doctor or health care facility.

• Seek the advice of your neurologist or ask the diagnosing health care team to discuss with them or the on-call neurologist, regarding any changes to your treatment.

• It is extremely important that you advise your neurologist if you become infected with COVID-19 as we will be collectively monitoring the outcomes for people with MS and various therapies. This will assist in providing appropriate advice to all.

Who should I contact if I have symptoms of COVID-19 infection?

If you are concerned that you are developing symptoms of COVID-19 you can:

• Phone the Coronavirus Health Information Line 1800 020 080

• Phone the Health Direct Hotline 1800 022 222.

• Phone your General Practitioner for an appointment (please phone ahead to make an appointment).

• Attend a coronavirus testing centre (these are listed for each state by the relevant health department, again please phone ahead to make an appointment).

Should I come to my outpatient clinic, infusion or MRI appointment?

If you have visited a high-risk area, have symptoms of COVID-19 infection or have had close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 please do not attend your outpatient, infusion or MRI appointment. Please contact your specialist clinic, MRI department, infusion centre or MS Nurse to advise of your need to cancel the appointment and make alternative arrangements. Many clinics have now moved to telephone or telehealth consultations. MRI departments and imaging centres have implemented measures to limit the risk of infection.

Should I travel overseas?

Current travel advice is available on the Australian Smart Traveller website, but essentially all travel has now been banned.

Should I have the flu and pneumonia vaccinations?

It is recommended that all persons with MS and related disorders have the flu vaccination when it becomes available in April, 2020. The Pneumococcal vaccination is also recommended  for those who are eligible. Check with your GP/neurologist.

What if I am a healthcare worker?

What should I do about my medication?

If you are on a regular medication for MS or a related condition, then it is recommended that you should continue to take this medication because of the very real risk of relapse when medication is ceased.

It also recommended that:

With regards to specific therapies:

Self-injected therapies (glatiramer acetate [Copaxone], beta-interferon [Avonex, Betaferon, Plegridy, Rebif])

• These medications are not immunosuppressive.

• You should continue these medications and follow the standard advice regarding prevention of COVID-19 infection.

Intermittent immunotherapies (plasma exchange, intravenous gammaglobulin [IVIg]):

• These therapies have a minimal impact on immune function.

• You should continue these therapies and follow the standard advice regarding prevention of COVID-19 infection.

Regular potentially immunosuppressive MS therapies (natalizumab [Tysabri], fingolimod [Gilenya], siponimod [Mayzent], dimethyl fumarate [Tecfidera], teriflunomide [Aubagio]):

• These therapies are mildly immunosuppressive, there is currently no evidence that they increase the risk of COVID-19 infection.

• Because of the very real risk of relapse on discontinuing these therapies compared to the currently low risk of COVID-19 infection, the present advice is that these medications should be continued.

• You should follow the standard advice regarding prevention of COVID-19 infection.

Immunosuppressive therapies (prednisolone, methotrexate [MTX], azathioprine [Imuran], mycophenolate mofetil [Cellcept], cyclophosphamide [Cytoxan]):

• The level of immunosuppression with these medications is variable and depends upon the dosage and combination of treatments.

• Because of the very real risk of relapse on discontinuing these therapies compared to the currently low risk of COVID-19 infection, the present advice is that these medications should be continued.

• You should follow the standard advice regarding prevention of COVID-19 infection.

Pulsed immunosuppressive therapies (rituximab [Rituxan], ocrelizumab [Ocrevus], alemtuzumab [Lemtrada], cladribine [Mavenclad]):

• These therapies are immunosuppressive to varying degrees and for variable periods of time.

• Because of the pulsed nature of these therapies there are options to delay courses of treatment.

• Decisions on whether or not to delay a course of these therapies should be discussed with your neurologist.

• You should follow the standard advice regarding prevention of COVID-19 infection, in some situations, on the advice of your neurologist, it may be appropriate to take additional precautions.

• Discuss any particular queries or concerns with your GP or neurologist (pertaining to your situation).

• Prior to your visit, re-read this page, as the MS-specific information may help you formulate your queries.

It is also important to regularly check the following Australian Government websites, for information about COVID-19, including protecting yourself and minimising your risk:

Department of Health - Coronavirus (COVID-19):

• General information: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert

• Resources: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources?fbclid=IwAR2EUEIJ7gqSfzt4i-wTKn5hH0iCoipJipA_UuqsnMqZuYaZU0dueJ61fk4

The World Health Organization website (www.who.int) has general advice for the public regarding precautions, other concerns and handy FAQs.

Many of Australia’s major health services offer advice for MS patients about matters such as:

• Flu and pneumonia vaccinations

• Attendance at outpatient clinic or infusion appointments

• MRI and/or regular pathology services

So please visit the website of your nearest health service: https://health.govcms.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/healthdirect-find-a-health-service
 

Find an MS Clinic nearest you: 

State & Territory MS Organisations:

Given the current situation and the urgent need to reduce social contact, MS organisations around the country have needed to cancel events and activities involving large gatherings, and in some cases alter the way that support and services are provided. 

Please check with your state/territory MS organisation for advice on how this may affect you: 

• MSL (ACT, NSW, Tasmania, Victoria): www.ms.org.au (MS Connect: 1800 042 138)

• MS Queensland: www.msqld.org.au (NeuroAssist Line: 1800 177 591)

• MS SA & NT: www.ms.asn.au (Assist: 1800 812 311)

• MS WA: www.mswa.org.au (MSWA Infoline: 1300 097 989)