MDF Magazine Issue 61 April 2020 (2)

MD
COVID-19 Recommendations for
the Neuromuscular Community
By the Muscular Dystrophy Association, America
Current guidelines for COVID-19 exposure have focused on specific communities related to risk to travelers, the elderly and
those with conditions that affect respiratory health. In order to inform the neuromuscular community of specific information
which is relevant to COVID-19, MDA has prepared the following information which expands on the CDC [Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention] recommendations for the general population in order to keep the neuromuscular community up
to date on best practices for managing the global spread of SARS-CoV-2 [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.
html].
A few general points will help patients and families to have a better understanding of the current situation:
About COVID-19
The new virus is called SARS-CoV-2, which is part of the family of betacoronaviruses that are common in people and various
animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. The original spread from live animal markets in China has now continued
with person to person transmission leading to global spread which is evolving rapidly. The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2
is now known as COVID-19.
The virus is spread from 1) person-to-person exposure (principal means of transmission) and 2) surfaces exposed to the virus.
Exposure is by respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes leading to transmission to others in
close proximity. A challenge is that some transmission can occur before an infected individual becomes ill making it hard to
isolate that individual. The highest risk of spreading is from those that have symptoms of fever and respiratory illness. Late in
the illness there is the potential for gastrointestinal infection and exposure from stool. Spreading from infected surfaces can
be managed by careful handwashing (see below).
Symptoms
Symptoms may appear 2–14 days after exposure. Findings compatible with SARS-CoV-2 infection include fever, cough, and/
or difficulty breathing.
10