Bhubaneswar: COVID-19 is affecting all parts of the Central Nervous System (CNS). Most commonly visible conditions among COVID-19 patients are brain stroke, Encephalitis, Meningitis, Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), seizures and headaches.
COVID-19 is also affecting peripheral nervous system (PNS) and the conditions may vary from paralysis, difficuty in swallowing food, Myositis (acute muscle pain), Myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord), said Dr Ashok Kumar Mallik, Professor of Neurology at SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack.
Addressing a session on COVID home isolation here today, Dr Mallik said that almost all systems of the nervous system, both central and peripheral are affected by COVID-19. In the preliminary stage, many COVID patients are complaining of losing smell and taste. Around 50 per cent patients are developing PNS problems, he said.
Once a person recovers from COVID-19, it will take some time for nerve regeneration following which the smell and taste will return to normal. The common reason for headache in COVID is stress. So, the patient needs to stay calm and relaxed, he added.
“COVID patients with a history of paralysis should not worry and keep in touch with tele-medicine at medical college and general Government hospitals. They can stay in home isolation and consult doctors over phone and recover. There is no need to panic and rush to hospital,” Dr Mallik advised.