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COVID-19 Recommendations for the Neuromuscular Community:

A few groups have been declared as high risk group, these include :-

  1. Passengers /travellers 
  2. People above 65 years of age 
  3. People affect with respiratory health conditions (this includes people living with neuromuscular disorders)

We at Indian Association of Muscular Dystrophy are  here with a few tips which are relevant to COVID-19, this will help people living with neuromuscular conditions to manage  globally spread SARS-Co-2 .

A few general points will help patients and families to have a safe life ahead:

The  betacoronaviruses  (SARS-CoV-2) leads to the disease now known as COVID-19, spreads through human beings and animals like cattle,cat bat and camel. Originally it spreader from China animal market and now reached almost all parts of the world like an epidemic.

Major means of transmission of virus are:

  1. Person to person by touch (most common means)
  2. Surfaces exposed to virus 
  • Alert situation is that it’s transmission can come about before the affected person actually shows the symptoms of the disease. 
  • Highest risk of outspread is from those who have symptoms of fever,respiratory illness and in later stages gastrointestinal infection and exposure from stool.

How to control the current situation :

Manifestation :

Signs may appear 2-14 days after exposure with SARS-CoV-2 infection include fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing.

What to do if you are affected?

For the patients affected with neuromuscular diseases , it is most significant that they seek prompt medical advice .One must inform the family doctor if you or anyone in your household is identified with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or for documented exposure to an individual who has tested positive,and tell him that you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who has or is being evaluated for COVID-19.Provide the information through telephone,dont try and visit the doctor personally.

Your doctor  will provide guidance for having your symptoms evaluated and monitored.If you have a medical emergency you need to call 1075

The Union Health Ministry on Monday activated a toll-free 24×7 national helpline number, 1075.

Read more at:

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/health-ministry-launches-new-toll-free-number-email-id-for-queries-on-covid-19/articleshow/74661190.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

The previous helpline number, 011-239 78046, will also remain operational, the ministry officials said. Besides the toll-free numbers,the ministry also issued a helpline email ID ncov2019@gmail.com. 

Prevention and Management:

There is currently no preventative vaccine or specific treatment for COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. However, as a reminder, Ministry of health & Family Welfare  always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

  • If you are  independent avoid being in the proximity of people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your nose and mouth while coughing  with a tissue or handkerchief ,then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • The objects which are touched frequently should be cleaned at regular intervals.
  • Follow the guide lines of Health Ministry recommendations for using a facemask.
  • Health Ministry does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to  others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for doctors and  (at home or in a health care facility).
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. 

Caregivers and Household Members:

It is important that caregivers and household members take all necessary precautions to avoid the risk of contracting COVID-19 and spreading the illness to someone with a neuromuscular disease. We recommend that neuromuscular patients and caregivers work together to identify a backup caregiver who will be able to provide care for the neuromuscular patient in the event that the caregiver gets sick. In addition to the preventative measures listed above, caregivers should also wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before and after providing care (such as feeding, bathing, and dressing) to help decrease the risk of exposure for the patient.

A few helpful links:

People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19.

Serious Illness from COVID-19.
people who are taking care of someone in close settings

CDC’s Handwashing

CDC’s Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings

specific guidance for travelers

Categories: Covid-19

3 Comments

Ram · April 14, 2020 at 6:09 pm

Informative post. Your organization is doing a great job. Good work keep it up.

Subasini Das · August 27, 2020 at 1:28 pm

Im from Odisha. My son suffering from neuromuscular disorder.

Subasini Das · August 28, 2020 at 3:42 am

Plz reply. I’m hopeless

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