Patients with epilepsy don’t seem to have a higher risk of contracting the virus of COVID-19 disease, or suffer from more severe cases of infection by COVID-19 , when compared to the general population. Patients with epilepsy are not considered immunodeficient. Epileptic seizures are not part of the symptoms of COVID-19 disease. However, during infection by COVID-19, it is quite frequent to have fever, and fever is a known factor that favours the occurrence of epileptic seizures in patients with epilepsy. I suffer from epilepsy and I have contracted COVID-19. What should I do? If you are infected, it is important to control fever with antipyretics, anti-inflammatories and physical measures to lower the body temperature, in order to minimize the risk of having an epileptic seizure. If a patient with epilepsy suffers a convulsion, cares to be taken are similar to the usual ones: Maintain the patient in a safe environment; Put the patient in safety lateral position; Not put food or drink in the mouth, until the total recovery of consciousness. If the seizures last for more than 5 consecutive minutes or if 2 convulsions occur without recovery of consciousness between them, contact INEM – 112. If the seizure results in a lesion that requires medical attention (for instance, fracture, shoulder dislocation, cranial trauma, among others), hospital medical care should be sought. Precautions to be taken by people suffering from epilepsy: Adopt adequate contact restriction measures; Imperatively maintain and carry out the therapeutics in progress; Maintain sleep habits, especially avoiding sleep deprivation. Consequences of infection by COVID-19 in people with epilepsy: Symptoms similar to those of the flu (fever, cough, muscle pain, fatigue, shortness of breath), as the general population; The fever may facilitate the occurrence of epileptic seizures or convulsions. Recommendations during infection by COVID-19: Maintain a good hydration and control the fever and pain with analgesic and / or anti-inflammatory medication; If a convulsion or complications occur, contact INEM – 112; Follow the recommendations of the General Directorate for Health and the orientation of your health team; Be especially alert to the evolution of the symptoms associated with the 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 epilepsy medication, therefore, it is important that, in case of hospitalization, the patient is accompanied by an updated list of the medication taken. Author : Martin Lauterbach 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.
