Open AccessMyasthenia gravis and COVID-19 – A clinical checkmate
Author(s) -
Vijayalakshmi Sivapurapu,
Pratheeba Natarajan,
Ravindra Raghuveera Bhat,
R Remadevi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
al-banǧ. maqālāt wa abḥāṯ fī al-taẖdīr wa-al-in’āš
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0259-1162
DOI - 10.4103/aer.aer_129_21
Subject(s) - myasthenia gravis , medicine , covid-19 , pandemic , intensive care medicine , weakness , disease , pediatrics , immunology , surgery , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Myasthenia gravis (MG) patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pose a unique challenge for intensive care management. Higher risk of infection is observed in patients with MG due to the immunosuppressant medications they are prescribed. The underlying component of respiratory muscle weakness predisposes these patients to experience a more severe form of illness. In the case of diagnosis of COVID-19 in MG patients, judicious continuation of immunosuppressants, avoiding drugs that worsen MG along with the continuation of cholinesterase inhibitors is prudent. Early diagnosis in cases with high-index of suspicion, extra precautions, COVID-appropriate behavior, and early immunization is paramount for the health of MG patients during this pandemic.