March 13, 2020

Wash Your Hands and Keep an RLS Medical Alert Card Handy

The news is filled with information on the Coronavirus (also known as COVID-19). The disease it causes is a newly identified respiratory illness thought to spread by direct person-to-person contact. If the virus, which apparently can remain active for many hours outside the body, is on a surface, then someone can pick it up on their hands; touching their face can then cause infection. Symptoms include fever of 100.4° F or higher, dry cough, or body aches. Individuals at most risk are elderly with compromised health, have recently travelled, or been in contact with another individual diagnosed with COVID-19. If these symptoms develop, seek immediate medical care.

Living with a chronic medical condition like RLS may heighten concerns. That's why we are providing an RLS Medical Alert Card to keep in your wallet and to share with medical personnel. If you do become ill, they can refer to the list of medications to avoid and permissible substitutes for individuals with RLS. And to help you stay healthy, here are some practical tips to follow:

Don’t panic. Misinformation and fear mongering exist in the public realm. Depend on the Centers for Disease Control website (www.cdc.gov) and your local health department for the latest information on the corona virus. Some unscrupulous individuals are peddling useless products on-line at high prices. Don’t fall victim to their pitches.

Good hygiene tips:

• Wash your hands. Soap and water (20 second scrub - sing the Happy Birthday song twice) are your best defense against infection. Hand sanitizers that are 60% or more alcohol-based are a good second line of defense when soap and water is not available. Wash your hands often, especially after touching phones, keypads, handrails, and other shared surfaces.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Be sure to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough; sneeze or cough into your elbow.
• Disinfect contact surfaces touched often (doorknobs, handrails, tables and cell phones). The EPA has an approved list of disinfectants here. Apple has announced that sanitizing wipes – but not sprays – are safe to use on its products.
• For the time being, eliminate handshakes and hugs; practice the “elbow bump” instead.
• Adopt safe food practices—don’t share your food with others and be vigilant about safe food handling and storage practices at home and if you dine away from home.

Avoid large crowds and any nonessential travel to limit exposure. Your state or local authorities may have provided guidelines to help you assess risk. Check with theaters, sports promoters, and others to see if events have been cancelled or postponed.

If think you are sick, please stay home and contact your healthcare provider. If a visit to a healthcare provider is necessary, don’t use public transportation. Take this RLS Medical Alert Card to share with medical personnel to make them aware of medications to avoid and permissible substitutes for individuals with RLS.

U.S. Public Health Service coronavirus resources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Food & Drug Administration (FDA)