Advice regarding COVID-19 for Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Patients:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), which causes a respiratory disease. This is a rapidly evolving situation and questions regarding the use of disease modifying therapies during this outbreak are being raised.
To avoid COVID-19 infection:
1) Wash hands with soap for 20 seconds or use Purell
2) Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
3) Sanitize high touch surfaces
4) Practice social distancing
5) avoid non-essential travel
The National MS Society’s National Medical Advisory Committee recommends the following:
1) People with MS should follow CDC Guidelines and these additional recommendations for people at risk for serious illnesses from COVID-19.
2) People with MS should continue disease modifying therapies (DMTs) and discuss specific risks with their MS healthcare provider prior to stopping a DMT.
3) Before starting a cell depleting DMT or a DMT that carries warnings of potentially severe increase in disability after stopping, people with MS and their MS healthcare providers should consider specific risks (e.g. age, comorbid health conditions, location) and benefits.
Additional guidelines from the National MS Society can be found here.
If COVID-19 has been identified in your community:
• consider staying home from school
• explore options for on-line courses
• avoid crowds, large events>100 people
• avoid people with cough, cold or high fevers
• avoid high touch public areas (eg. Subway)
From: Tanuja Chitnis MD
Director, Partners Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center,
Massachusetts General Hospital for Children
Additional resources can be found in the Remote Learning Resources tab under the COVID-19 Health Information tab or by clicking here.