Who Gets MS?

Since there's so much we don't know about MS, we cannot predict who might get it. We can, however, detect a pattern in the people who are more likely to develop MS.

Young Adults

Symptoms usually appear between ages 20 and 40. MS seldom strikes people under 15 or over 50.

Women

Slightly more women than men develop MS. MS is not connected with pregnancy, however. Women with MS can have children.

People in Temperate Zones

Multiple Sclerosis occurs more often between 40 and 60 degrees latitude. Thus, the occurrence of MS is higher in places such as Canada, Scotland, and the South Island of New Zealand than it is in tropical and sub-tropical areas.

People of Northern European Origin

Even in high-risk areas, MS rarely strikes certain racial groups (e.g. Maori and Polynesians, native Americans, black South Africans).

People in Areas with High Standards of Sanitation

Perhaps children in these areas are not exposed to some factor that would help build immunity to MS.

Types of MS

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