Covid can cause temporary facial paralysis: Docs

Covid can cause temporary facial paralysis: Docs

Mumbai:7.8.2020

Novel coronavirus can cause temporary facial paralysis — called Bell’s palsy — in some patients, doctors treating patients for five months said.

Neurologist Rajesh Benny, with Fortis Hospital (Mulund) said he saw an unusual number of cases of Bell’s palsy between April-July.

“The incidence seems to have reduced in Mumbai now, but neurologist in areas where the infection is at its peak or reaching it, say they are seeing a surge in Bell’s palsy cases,” he said.

In other countries too doctors noted the link between Covid-19 and neurological manifestations such as Bell’s palsy. In April, doctors from China reported in a peer-reviewed journal, Neurology, Bell’s palsy as a symptom.

“Covid-19 patients may present with Bell’s palsy at an initial stage. Bell’s palsy may be attributed to an immune response, caused by SARSCoV-2,’’ they wrote.

Patients with facial paralysis — usually on one side of face — would go to a neurologist if they had typical Covid symptoms such as fever, breathlessness or cough. It is only when the neurologist finds a normal MRI that a CT scan and/or a Covid-19 test are ordered. “It’s only then that Covid is identified as the cause,” said a doctor.

Generally, Bell's palsy takes a month or two to disappear but could in some cases leave behind residual weakness, said Dr Sangeeta Ravat, who heads the neurology department of KEM Hospital, Parel. Patients may need physiotherapy to recover fully. TNN