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Corona Virus

A MyParkinsonsTeam Member asked a question 💭
hollister_d@yahoo.com

Are we with Parkinson's Disease at a higher risk for this virus ?

March 30, 2020
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A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

We need to avoid going out and being with people as much as is feasible. Only go out in absolute necessities.

March 30, 2020
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

CORONA AND PARKINSON’s - Why is it dangerous to people with Parkinson’s

What features of PD could increase complications from coronavirus?
Although we do not have enough data regarding COVID-19 and PD specifically, we can extrapolate from experiences of people with PD and other viral respiratory illnesses

PD and other viral respiratory illnesses
PD motor- and non-motor symptoms can be exacerbated by any medical illness, including a viral respiratory illness. This means that in addition to the respiratory symptoms of the virus, people with PD may feel that they are slower and stiffer than usual and that their medications don’t seem to be working as well. Hallucinations may start in a person who never experienced that symptom before. Recovery from the illness can be more drawn out. Since COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness, it would be reasonable to assume that someone with PD who contracts COVID-19 could experience these complications as well.

In addition, people with PD may have restrictive lung disease which refers to an inability of the lungs to fully expand with air. Restrictive lung disease can occur in PD because of rigidity of the muscles of the chest wall, as well as bradykinesia, or slowness of the muscles responsible for chest wall expansion and contraction. People with PD may also have abnormalities in the posturing of their trunk including head drop, stooped posture, tilting of the trunk and bending at the waist. These postures can restrict the amount that the lungs can fill up with air. PD can also predispose a person to dysfunction of swallow and difficulty clearing secretions from their airway. These issues could contribute to development of complications during a respiratory illness.

Because of these reasons, people with PD are always strongly encouraged to protect themselves from any infection as much as possible. Vaccines such as the flu vaccine and the Pneumovax vaccine (for bacterial pneumonia) are strongly recommended. (COVID-19 does not yet have a vaccine, but one is already in clinical trial).

People with moderate PD also may start to experience decreased mobility, with more risk of falls. As PD advances it can cause additional problems including urinary dysfunction and weight loss. All of these elements can contribute to general frailty and increased risk of infection, including increased risk from COVID-19.

All things considered, it is good practice for those with PD, because of age and because of their underlying PD, to consider themselves at increased risk of complications from COVID-19.

Steps to take to prevent contracting COVID-19
Everyone should be taking serious precautions to avoid contracting the disease – even more so if you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem. Per the information above, people living with PD should be taking all possible precautions

March 30, 2020
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

According to Parkinson’s uk we're not at risk of getting covid19 but if we have other problems on top that would not be helpful.

March 31, 2020
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member what have you read?
Everything I read says a definite YES!!!

March 30, 2020
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

Thank you i have been staying home

March 30, 2020

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