Fact 15: MS is Not Contagious
One of the commonly encountered misconceptions about MS is its transmissibility. To put it straight, MS is not contagious. You cannot “catch” MS from someone who has it. As an autoimmune disease, the pathology of MS involves the immune system attacking the body’s own cells, a process that cannot be transferred from one person to another.
In autoimmune diseases like MS, the immune system wrongly identifies the body’s own cells as foreign and attacks them. This autoimmunity cannot be passed from one person to another as it is not caused by a foreign pathogen like bacteria or viruses.
Misconceptions like these can create unnecessary panic and stigmatization. It underscores the importance of education and awareness about the disease. An accurate understanding of MS not only helps in removing the stigma associated with it but also fosters a supportive environment for the affected individuals.
By imparting correct knowledge about MS, we can ensure that people understand it for what it is – an autoimmune disease, not a contagious one. Such education can contribute to creating a society that is supportive and empathetic towards those affected by MS.
While MS remains a complex disease with many unknowns, strides in research and treatment continue to provide hope. By shedding light on what MS truly is, we can change the narrative surrounding the disease, improving support for affected individuals, and pushing research efforts towards finding a cure. (15)
