Does having epilepsy put me at increased risk from coronavirus?
A recent study published in the British Medical Journal suggests that people with epilepsy could have a slightly increased risk of being admitted to hospital or dying from coronavirus.
The study does not show whether epilepsy itself causes this increased risk, or whether the risk is linked to other factors that could affect people with epilepsy. For example, people with epilepsy may be more likely to be in residential care, have visits from carers or have other conditions alongside their epilepsy. These things could increase their risk of catching or being more severely affected by coronavirus.
This small increased risk does not mean you need to shield, unless your doctor has advised you to. But it is important to keep yourself safe by following guidance on social distancing, washing your hands and wearing a face covering if you are able to.
