Q: Are people with epilepsy more at risk for COVID-19 than the general population?
Early reports from the CDC about COVID-19 suggested that people with epilepsy who had compromised immune systems were considered at high risk for infection. While it’s true that some patients with severe medication-resistant epilepsy who may have other neurologic problems may be more at risk, most patients with epilepsy are no more at risk than the general population. 

Q: What can I do to lower my risk of infection?
Like everyone else in this country, you should follow the CDC recommendations of practicing good hygiene, staying six feet away from others, wearing a mask when out in public to do essential tasks, and using telehealth to keep in touch with your doctors.

Q: If I contract COVID-19, will it make my epilepsy worse?
Any infection, including COVID-19, can worsen seizures. However, another likely trigger is the stress and anxiety during this time that may lead to sleep deprivation or to missing doses of antiseizure medication. Now more than ever, you need to practice self-care: get your sleep, eat well, avoid or limit alcohol and caffeine, exercise, and take your medication as directed.

Q: How important is self-care?
It’s vital. It’s the best way to avoid being hospitalized because of a seizure. Now more than ever epilepsy patients need to follow best practices: get adequate sleep, avoid alcohol, eat as healthfully as you can, don’t expose yourself to unnecessary risk, never miss a dose of antiepileptic medication, and try to ratchet down the stress through meditation or other activities that help you calm down.

Q: What should I do if I have a seizure?
All epilepsy patients should have an emergency plan in place. It should include obtaining refills with three-month supplies of medications when possible as well as rescue medications for breakthrough seizures. During the pandemic, some restrictions on controlled substances have been eased, so ask your neurologist for help in getting the type and amount of medications you need. For any serious or prolonged seizure (one that lasts more than five minutes or causes an injury), a series of seizures without full recovery in between, or breathing difficulties during or after a seizure, call 911.

Q: What should I do if a scheduled procedure such as epilepsy monitoring or surgery is delayed or canceled? 
In order to preserve hospital capacity and protective equipment for health care providers treating COVID-19 patients, many elective hospital procedures have been postponed. Talk to your doctor about what can be done in the meantime. For example, if the postponed procedure is for diagnostic purposes like epilepsy monitoring, ask your doctor if you can do an ambulatory electroencephalogram (EEG). If the procedure is therapeutic, such as getting a device or undergoing surgery, ask your doctor if it’s essential. Each epilepsy center or neurologist’s practice must determine what procedure is essential and what is elective. Some centers may be able to schedule an operation if a six-week delay would result in negative outcomes for the patient. Other places cannot because their hospital systems are overwhelmed. In most cases, the situation is continuously being evaluated. If surgery is advised, your doctor will work with the appropriate personnel to ensure your operation is done with the least likelihood of exposure to COVID-19. If your doctor determines the procedure is not immediately essential, he or she should develop a seizure action plan to avoid any hospitalizations or visits to the emergency department. 

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COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Neurologic Disease Resource Center