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MS affects everyone differently.
People with the same type of MS won't necessarily experience the same symptoms in the same way.
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Relapsing remitting MS is the most common type of MS, affecting around 85 per cent of everyone diagnosed. It means that symptoms appear (a relapse), and then fade away, either partially or completely.
Secondary progressive MS is a stage of MS which can come after relapsing remitting MS.
It means there is a sustained build up of disability, completely independent of any relapses.
Primary progressive MS affects about 10 to 15 per cent of people diagnosed with MS. Symptoms gradually get worse over time, rather than appearing as sudden attacks (relapses).
MS in children is rare. Around five to ten per cent of young people with MS will experience MS symptoms before the age of 16.
Find out more about childhood MS
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If you have a small number of relapses followed by a complete recovery, you may be described as having benign MS.
Benign MS can only be diagnosed retrospectively.
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