SNAP SHOT
Infections In People With Multiple Sclerosis
Learning From The NARCOMS Surveys
PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS ( MS ) face a number of possible coexisting conditions , also known as comorbidities . A very common comorbidity of MS is infection . These infections may be viral or bacterial and may occur as part of normal exposure during daily life or as an opportunistic infection to therapeutic procedures or disease course . Infections such as influenza , the common cold , pneumonia , shingles , strep throat , and infections of the skin , gastrointestinal tract , and urinary tract are more common in people with MS than the general population . Regardless of cause , infection can present serious challenges for people with MS and can result in the worsening of symptoms and hospitalization . 1
In recent NARCOMS surveys , we asked participants to report recent infections ( other than the COVID-19 infection ) to better track the rate ( including seasonal distribution ) of specific types of infection in the MS population and any treatments received . This data can be used to better understand the impact of these infections in people with MS . It may also reveal clues to patterns of infection observed in people with MS that may relate to participants ’ age and sex . In this Snapshot , we look at some of the data concerning infection generated by the survey .
Of the data obtained through the Spring 2023 survey , we focus on the common cold and the urinary tract infection ( UTI ). These were the most
9