By now, I am sure you have all heard about the current novel coronavirus global pandemic. If you or someone you love has rheumatoid arthritis or any other autoimmune disease, you may be worried, scared, confused, or anxious. I am writing this post using information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to answer some of your most pressing questions and to help put your mind at ease.
Are RA patients included in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at-risk group discussed by the CDC?
Yes, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes dysregulation of the immune system, which puts RA patients at higher risk of contracting the virus that causes the symptoms of the COVID-19 respiratory disease.
Also, many medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis suppress the immune system, causing RA patients to be increasingly susceptible to contracting the disease and not being able to fight off the virus. It is extremely important that you contact your rheumatologist immediately if you develop symptoms of COVID-19.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Though some people are asymptomatic, and others have mild cold-like symptoms, it is imperative that you call your physician or nearest emergency room if you develop more severe symptoms such as the following,
fever,
cough,
fatigue, and
shortness of breath.
** Call 9-1-1 or emergency services for immediate medical attention if you develop any of the following emergency warning signs,
difficulty breathing or shortness of breath,
persistent pain or pressure in the chest,
new confusion or inability to be woken, or
bluish lips or face.
What can I do to reduce my risk of exposure?
The CDC has offered guidance to help reduce our risk of exposure. Below, I have provided their basic advice in downloadable infographic for you to easily save these recommendations for future reference.
Certain supplies are good to have well-stocked, such as
extra prescription medications to avoid exposure at the pharmacy or set up your refills with a mail order pharmacy (many pharmacies now offer free delivery for prescriptions),
over-the-counter medications to treat cold and flu symptoms and fever,
medical supplies, tissues, and sanitizer, and
groceries, household supplies like toilet paper and toiletries, and cleaning supplies.
Assign a healthy member of your household to do the grocery shopping in a single visit. If you live alone, ask family or friends to shop for you. You can even order your groceries online and have them ready to be picked up at the store or have them delivered to your home.
If you absolutely must go out to a store or an essential appointment, wear a face mask, like a surgical mask or respirator, and keep a minimum of 6’ distance from other people (see an instructional video about how to make a DIY face mask from the U.S. Surgeon General at the bottom of this post). Do not touch with your bare hands high-touch surfaces in public, such as keypads or doorknobs. Instead, wear rubber gloves and sanitize your hands afterwards. Avoid touching your face, mouth, nose, or eyes.
Additionally, you should avoid close contact with anyone who is ill. Of course, this tidbit is routinely advised to RA patients. To protect an RA patient, self-isolation at home is the safest option for patients and their families. To reduce the risk of exposure within the household, everyone in the household should wash their hands often with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds and routinely clean and disinfect your home, paying close attention to high-touch areas, like counters, light switches, and doorknobs.
* If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60% or more alcohol content. *
As you can see, there are lots of things you can do to reduce your risk of exposure to the novel coronavirus. I hope that knowing this information has not only answered your questions and eased your mind, but I also hope that it has empowered you with some form of control in this chaotic, unpredictable historical era we are living through.
For more information about the novel coronavirus, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), or what to do if you become ill, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Coronavirus 2019 website
To learn how to make a homemade DIY face mask covering, please watch this video from the U.S. Surgeon General’s office.
For any questions about homemade DIY face masks, visit the CDC’s Cloth Face Coverings FAQ page.
Comentários