COVID-19 and Transplant Patients

Posted by jolinda @jolinda, Mar 14, 2020

As a kidney transplant recipient I have been extra vigilant/worried about protecting myself as COVID-19 spreads. Like most transplant patients I am used to washing my hands, carrying hand-sanitizer, avoiding sick people, getting flu shots, etc. The COVID-19 outbreak has caused me to take additional steps to try to remain safe but I am worried for my health. I would like to hear what you are doing to stay safe and how you are feeling.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

@almula

Greeting from Kuwait, I hope all of us will be fine during the coming weeks. I had a liver transplant in 2018 (in Mayo clinic), I am trying hard to avoid crowded places but unfortunately, I need to go to the hospital for my appointments. Honestly, I am worrying too much from the situation, we cannot do anything just we must try to wash our hands and put masks when we go out. Since last night, I do have pain in my sore throat, this makes me worry more. I am prying for all of you and for all my friends in Rochester...God bless you all and I am sure Lord will solve it soon.

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@almula, I am happy that you are doing well with your liver transplant. It is good to hear from you. We have a transplant discussion that I want to share with you. I look forward to your post!
Are you one of the 20,000 transplants performed at Mayo Rochester?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/are-you-one-of-the-20000-transplants-performed-at-mayo-rochester/

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I am not a transplant recipient, but one of our closest friends is on the liver transplant list at Mayo in Minnesota. He has cholangiocarcinoma (malignant tumor in the liver) and has been through so much over the past year. The tumor is stable, no change, and no mets. He will stay in Rochester as he awaits the transplant. I am writing this because I pray for him and his wife every day. He spent his professional life as a neonatologist and I think of all the babies he saved and families he worked with over the years. I know he is in self-isolation at home right now until he flies to Minnesota again. Every one of you or your loved ones, as transplant recipients, must be more vigilant. No one of you is overdoing it. Not at all. It's a blessing that you can all provide validation to one another here on Mayo Connect.

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@rosemarya

@almula, I am happy that you are doing well with your liver transplant. It is good to hear from you. We have a transplant discussion that I want to share with you. I look forward to your post!
Are you one of the 20,000 transplants performed at Mayo Rochester?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/are-you-one-of-the-20000-transplants-performed-at-mayo-rochester/

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i did my transplant in 2018 in Rochester mayo clinic..

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@almula

i did my transplant in 2018 in Rochester mayo clinic..

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@almula I am grateful that you are doing well with your transplant. 20,000 transplants at Mayo Rochester? No wonder our friend's medical team at UC San Francisco sent him to Mayo.

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@rosemarya

The Mayo Clinic News Network has this information. Well worth reading and watching the videos.
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/category/covid-19/

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Rosemary, should you put take out food in microwave before eating?

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@livertrex

Hi, I live in Western Colorado and I had my transplant in August of last year in Arizona. I'm feeling fine. Still a few complications with dizziness, but overall I'm getting out and feeling strong. Now the State wants me to stay home. We only have one case of covid -19 in our County. I think I'm okay and the risk is low. What does everyone else think? I would still like to go to church and the men's group tomorrow.

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@livertrex I would definitely not go to anything like church or a group meeting. It is too difficult in those settings to maintain that 6’ distance from other people. I am 3.5 years post-transplant and the only thing I am allowing myself is grocery shopping at non-busy hours. I was there at 7:00 this morning when they had just opened.
JK

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@contentandwell

@livertrex I would definitely not go to anything like church or a group meeting. It is too difficult in those settings to maintain that 6’ distance from other people. I am 3.5 years post-transplant and the only thing I am allowing myself is grocery shopping at non-busy hours. I was there at 7:00 this morning when they had just opened.
JK

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Thanks, my opinion of this issue is changing. I am pretty protected in my small community, but I would hate to be the person that my get it and pass it on with out knowing.

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@livertrex

Rosemary, should you put take out food in microwave before eating?

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Excellent question, @livertrex,. My best guess (and my practice) is to use the same food safety practices that I routinely use, and have used since my transplant in 2009.
My son, a restaurant GM tells me that the restaurants are under strict codes for food preparation safety. My own opinion is that I would select the same reputable restaurants as I would use during the average year, As far as microwaving - probably only if/when I don't eat the food within the recommended safe time .

Here is some information from the FDA about -Food Safety for Transplant Recipients. I have pasted here only the information that relates to your question. ....." If you plan to get a “doggy bag” or save leftovers to eat at a later time, refrigerate perishable foods as soon as possible—and always within 2 hours after purchase or delivery. If the leftover food is in air temperatures above 90 °F, refrigerate it within 1 hour."

You can also go to the following link to learn more.
https://www.fda.gov/food/people-risk-foodborne-illness/food-safety-transplant-recipients
Be safe and enjoy,

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My husband is a kidney transplant patient, receiving his kidney 10/1/2016. Just yesterday some of his co-workers came to him and asked why he was still there, not working from home. He went to the vice-president of the company, who sent him home. First he got software and permissions for installing company software on his personal computer, and the IT unit created a new drive that he and others will access for joint projects. He is about three weeks away from retiring after a 40 year career at the same company. He will go in tonight to get some equipment to bring home and work on, then return it on Saturday and work all day with fewer people there. The biggest obstacle for him will be lack of people contact face-to-face, as he is very much a people person.
Ginger

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@gingerw
This sounds like the perfect solution! No wonder he stayed with the company for 40 years if this is how considerate they are of their employees. I bet you are greatly relieved too!

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