Every time we turn on the news, we can’t help but feel a little panicked about the coronavirus and today I am talking about IBD and the coronavirus.
It seems to spreading quickly in the UK and is also in the US but experts are telling us not to worry unless we’re elderly or vulnerable.
As if sick lives don’t seem to matter as much as healthy ones!
But what is vulnerable and are those of us with IBD classed as such?
Well, it’s not too clear. The advice at the moment refers to immunosuppressed people but nothing on IBD specifically, so after doing, quite a lot of reading, I thought I’d compile what the experts say on the matter.
Although I’ve noticed, like often the way with IBD, some doctors are saying different things.
IBD and the coronavirus:David T. Rubin, IBD Specialist
A Tweetorial on #coronavirus (and #IBD):
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause illness from the common cold to more severe diseases. The novel strain of #coronavirus named #SARSCoV2 was first detected in Wuhan, China and causes coronavirus disease #COVID19. 1/— David T. Rubin, MD (@IBDMD) February 27, 2020
You can find David’s whole twitter thread over on his account . David explains we don’t currently have any specific IBD research on coronavirus but there is some evidence that pebeing on steroids or immune modulators like azathioprine or 6-MP or methotrexate can increase an #IBD patient’s risk for viral infections in general.
David goes on to explain that those on anti-TNF medications without immune modulators like azathioprine do not actually appear to have any increased risk.
Great for those on Humira and Infliximab without Azathioprine. Not so great for me and others who are on Azathioprine.
Crohn’s and the coronavirus:Peter Higgins, who is @ibddoctor on twitter shares some insight of his own.
Not a lot of effect of biologic medications (anti-TNFs like infliximab, adalimumab). These seem to increase the risk of mycobacterial, fungal, and bacterial infections in #IBD, but not so much for viruses.
— Peter Higgins (@ibddoctor) February 25, 2020
He states that we know in general that those of us with IBD patients have a 50% risk of the flu and that rises to 20% more if on steroids.
Peter explains there’s also not that much evidence specifically respiratory viruses in relation to immunosuppressants like Azathioprine and mercaptopurine.
He explains that those of us with IBD on those medications are more susceptible to viruses like chickenpox and shingles but there’s not so much evidence on if we’re susceptible to respiratory viruses like the coronavirus.
It’s reassuring to know that just having IBD and even on immunosuppressants doesn’t automatically mean we’re at risk.
What Crohn’s and Colitis UK say about coronavirus and IBD in the UK?
For those of us in the UK, CCUK have released their own guidance and you can read the full post here.
The main takes from this are that those of us on immunosuppressants are not at an increased risk of catching the coronavirus but maybe at an extra risk of complications if they get it.
However, in most cases they advise you to keep taking your medication as usual if you get it.
What Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation say about Coronavirus and IBD in the US?
You can read their post here. There’s not much new information that’s not covered above but still worth a read.
What should you do if you’re worried about coronavirus and IBD?
-First, read the above posts. They’re quite reassuring that even the experts aren’t sure there’s a proven increased risk.
-One of the doctors recommends those who are on steroids might want to consider a mask at times.
-Obviously good handwashing is vital.
-Don’t stop your medicine even if you’re unwell and always ring your IBD team
-In other words, do everything you would already to try to not get sick.
I hope this post is useful and let me know how you’re feeling. Are you worried about coronavirus as an IBD patient or do you feel calm about the matter?
