A pseudo-exacerbation is when you have new or worsening symptoms that aren’t related to new inflammation. The symptoms appear very similar to an MS relapse, but they’re triggered by other factors.
Some causes of pseudo-exacerbations are illness, fever, heat exposure and emotional and physical stress. Once these other causes are treated or avoided, the pseudo-exacerbation goes away.
One of the most common triggers of pseudo-exacerbations is urinary tract infections (UTIs). You may also experience worsening of symptoms when your body temperature rises, like when you have a fever, during exercise or when it is hot outside.