← Return to Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR), prednisone and Coronavirus COVID-19

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@johnbishop

Hi @ncgal, From what I've read, any autoimmune condition makes you more susceptible to COVID. I did find an article from last summer on the topic.

"Patients with immune deficiencies or autoimmune disorders are at a higher risk for infection with COVID-19, as they are frequently treated with anti-cytokine, glucocorticoids, and/or immunosuppressive drugs. The infection rate with COVID-19 among people with immune diseases is twice that of the general population[176]. The data derived from international registries of patients with rheumatic diseases (C19-GRA3) who encountered COVID-19 showed poor outcomes depending on their medications[177]. For example, patients treated with antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) showed decreased hospitalization risk, indicating the protective effects of anti-TNF monotherapy against severe COVID-19. Antimalarial drugs (such as hydroxychloroquine), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and biologic therapies were not related to increasing the risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19. In contrast, patients who received moderate to high dose glucocorticoids had poor prognoses and clinical outcomes[177,178]. However, other factors may also play a role in the clinical outcome that need more studies.'
--- COVID-19 disease and autoimmune disorders: A mutual pathway:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9350728/.

You might also be interested in a couple of related discussions:
--- Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR), prednisone and Coronavirus COVID-19:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/coronavirus-and-pmr/
--- Polymyalgia, Covid Infection, Anti-Virals:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/polymyalgia-covid-infection-anti-virals/.

Did your doctor start any treatments when you first tested positive?

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Replies to "Hi @ncgal, From what I've read, any autoimmune condition makes you more susceptible to COVID. I..."

Thanks John. No, I didn't see a doctor as for the first three days I thought I had bronchitis. When it came back positive for Covid on day 3, I was not able to get to the doctor because of nausea and diarrhea and they wanted me to sit in the car outside and wait to be called (the usual waiting time is 30 mins) . From what I understand the anti-viral meds have to be given within 5 days of the start.
I appreciate all the information you provided. I still have a ways to go, but things are improving.