COVID-19 and Seizures
When there’s a chance of getting sick, it is critical to know how it affects seizures in people living with epilepsy. It is possible to have increased seizures when sick with COVID-19. Seizures can be managed. However, talk to your doctor if there are changes to your seizures.
Learn about the latest COVID-19 updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Based on an article originally published February 28, 2020, and updated several times.
Are Seizures a Symptom of COVID-19?
Seizures are not a symptom of COVID-19. At the very end stages of serious forms of COVID-19, damage to other organs can happen. This includes possible damage to the brain. This happens with other respiratory infections, too. When this happens, seizures could occur with COVID-19 in a person without epilepsy or certain neurological disorders.
Due to several factors, people with epilepsy could have more seizures if they are also sick with COVID-19.
Can Seizures Increase If a Person Gets COVID-19?
When a person with epilepsy gets sick with another illness, especially with a fever, they may see a change or increase in their seizures. The illness is a physical and emotional stressor to the body that could make seizures more likely. The same happens if someone is sick with COVID-19. However, the risk of worsening seizures with COVID-19 seems low for most people with epilepsy.
You can reduce the chance of COVID-19 affecting your seizures by taking care of yourself. Try to avoid or prevent seizure triggers, for example:
- Be extra careful taking your seizure medicine – Don’t miss any doses. Find resources to help with medication.
- Try to eat and drink as normally as possible- Ask your healthcare provider if you need to re-take medicine when vomiting.
- Try to get a good amount of sleep.
- Take over-the-counter medicine to keep a fever down- Initially, there was concern over ibuprofen worsening symptoms. However, there is little data to support this. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen could be used.
- Treat the symptoms of COVID-19- Most cold medicines are fine. Pseudoephedrine can affect seizures in some people and it’s best to avoid it.
If you or a loved one develops COVID-19 and notice changes in seizures, contact your epilepsy care team for advice specific to your situation.
Post COVID-19 Seizures
As a result of certain COVID-19 symptoms, some people with epilepsy may experience an increase in seizures. When symptoms of COVID-19 subside, seizures are likely to decrease in frequency. Anytime there is a change in seizure frequency, talk to your doctor.
What Should I Do When My Seizures Are Worse?
Talk to your doctor about when seizures are bad enough to go to the emergency room or hospital. This will be different for every person. Below are some steps you can take:
- Call or contact your provider- They will let you know if you need to visit a doctor.
- Make use of telehealth visits- These can be just as useful as an in-person visit. Check with your healthcare provider and your insurance to see if this is an option.
- Talk to your doctor or nurse about a seizure action plan- If you already have one, update it.
- If needed, your provider may recommend an adjustment in seizure medicine- They may also recommend a rescue medicine to use during periods of increased seizures.
Just like any other time, if you or a loved one have an emergency, such as seizures lasting too long or more seizures than usual, seek emergency help.
Resources
Epilepsy Centers
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Epilepsy Medication
Find in-depth information on anti-seizure medications so you know what to ask your doctor.
Epilepsy and Seizures Helpline
Call our Epilepsy and Seizures Helpline and talk with an epilepsy information specialist or submit a question online.
Tools & Resources
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