Polymyositis

What can be done to prevent the condition?

There is no known way to prevent this condition.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

The muscles can shrink and become very weak in this condition. If the muscles become too weak, the person can die from breathing or swallowing troubles. Heart or lung damage can also occur and may be severe enough to cause permanent disability or death.

In other cases, a person may get better with treatment or the disease may go away completely. Children are more likely to get better than adults.

Other long-term effects may occur if this condition is due to other autoimmune disorders or cancer. For example, cancer may result in death.

What are the risks to others?

This condition is not contagious.