Avoiding common colds with multiple sclerosis

A case of the common cold is a hinderance for anyone, but when you have multiple sclerosis (MS) it can be much more so. For a variety of reasons, MSers tend to come off worse when having a cold and can impact your quality of life much more.

How MSers might be more prone

Body temperature plays a big role in MS symptoms, and the body’s reaction to fighting a cold often causes the body’s internal temperature to go into overdrive. This increase to help fight the virus makes it more likely that you’ll experience something called ‘pseudoexacerbation’. Unlike a relapse that causes new symptoms, existing symptoms are exacerbated due to this phenomenon but will return to normal once the cold has passed and internal temperature has dropped.

In addition, the medications you take can alter the way you experience a case of cold. Disease modifying therapies (DMTs) and other medicines which can be taken to manage relapses can affect the immune system, possibly making yours less effective at fighting germs . It is entirely possible then that symptoms of a cold could be worse and make a greater impact on MS symptoms.

What MSers with colds should do

If you’re unfortunate enough in the winter season to catch a cold as an MSer, then you should treat it as anyone else would. Keep yourself well rested whilst your body fights the cold, and make sure to stay hydrated. Have tissues on hand and focus on getting better before anything else, otherwise your recovery time will take longer.

It might also be a good idea to take medicine which helps to bring down inner body temperatures, such as ibuprofen, but only if it is compatible with the medications you’re taking already. You can consult your GP or MS nurse for further guidance if needed.

To avoid catching a cold as much as possible, it’s best to avoid tightly packed spaces (such as public transport) for example. It is also a good idea to carry hand sanitiser on you for when you’ve been touching things in public that might have germs and viruses on them.

Another popular topic around the cooler seasons we get asked about is the link between MS and Raynaud’s syndrome. If you’re interested in finding out more then click the button below.