Patients with advanced Parkinson disease or other degenerative diseases may have a higher risk of severe cases of infection by COVID-19 , especially when they have significant mobility problems and difficulties swallowing or coughing. These difficulties are not common in mild cases or in the initial stages of these diseases. Avoid COVID-19 propagation: the importance of caretakers of patients with Parkinson In more dependent patients, family and / or caretakers, when providing proximity care (less than 1-meter distance), should: Use surgical mask; Sanitize hands properly before and after contacting the patient and his environment. They should also: Ensure the observance of confinement measures; Restrain the number of visits to the strictly necessary. But it is very important in patients with Parkinson to avoid solitude. In that sense, a routine of frequent remote contacts should be established, through phone calls or video calls. Precautions to take with Parkinson patients: Observe adequate contact restriction measures; Maintain and carry on the therapeutics in progress; Maintain, as much as possible, daily routines and avoid solitude; For patients who were undergoing a rehabilitation program, it should be adapted to the confinement conditions, which means not to interrupt the program and maintain a routine of adapted exercises to be made at home. Consequences of COVID-19 infection in people with Parkinson: Symptoms similar to those of the flu (fever, cough, muscle pain, fatigue, shortness of air); It is frequent to occur, as in other infections, aggravation of motor difficulties and / or occurrence of episodes of mental confusion or agitation. Recommendations in case of infection by COVID-19: Maintain hydration and control fever and pain with analgesic and / or anti-inflammatory medication; If there is significant prostration or agitation, contact the attending doctor; Patients with difficulty swallowing have a higher risk of developing respiratory difficulty during infection by COVID-19; be especially attentive to symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of air; Follow the recommendations of the General Directorate for Health and the orientation of the health team; Be always alert to the evolution of the symptoms associated with infection by COVID-19. If there is clinical aggravation, contact the health teams; Some medications used in hospital context to treat severe infections by COVID-19 may interfere with the medication for Parkinson disease in advanced stage, therefore, it is very important that, in case of hospitalization, the patient is accompanied by an updated list of the medication taken. Author : Ana Calado Meet the Neurology team of Hospital da Luz network. Click here for more information and advice of Hospital da Luz about the novel coronavírus COVID-19 epidemic . The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
