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COVID-19 and Transplant Patients
Transplants | Last Active: Mar 6, 2021 | Replies (459)Comment receiving replies
Any transplant patients here who are also healthcare providers? As of now, I have 1 week off, when who knows. I'm working in a county where we have 8+ confirmed cases and up to 100 others under consideration. I work as a nurse practitioner in both a busy hospital and in a busy outpatient clinic. I am on a Cellcept/sirolimus/prednisone regimen. I know I am part of a high risk population, and likelihood of more severe symptoms in the immunocompromised is high. My employer told me to wear a mask and stay out of the hospital. A mask alone is not so reassuring to me, nor 100% evidence-based given so many unknowns. Our clinic currently has no policy in place for adequate screening of patients, and we have 100+ patient coming and going from our clinic daily. I feel like I am being pulled in two directions between self preservation and job preservation. As health care providers, we are trained to more or less "do and die." We are made to feel guilty if we make a selfish decision. But frankly, I'm currently scared to go to work and feel like I need to be selfish right now. Any input, thoughts, or words of reassurance?
Replies to "Any transplant patients here who are also healthcare providers? As of now, I have 1 week..."
Don’t know when or what kind of transplant you had but with those immune suppressants you know you are very high risk. Please stay home, take care of yourself, don’t risk exposing yourself &/or exposing others to something that could be avoided. I’m nearly 15 years post pancreas transplant and I’m stage 4 CKD listed for kidney transplant. My husband has asthma. We are both in our 60’s and staying home. Looking into pick up &/or grocery delivery options. As others have pointed out already, you can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first.
Defenderoso, be selfish. There is not enough information on the covid-19 virus to rely on a mask. I highly recommend that you follow your gut and the instructions of the CDC and your transplant team. Covid-19 causes multiple organ failure if the infection is severe. I have no intention of letting it claim my son’s kidney from my belly! Be selfish and do so guiltlessly. You will be a healthcare provider after the infection has passed and will be much needed since nurses and doctors are falling ill from exposure to the virus.
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@dfenderso, I have always been at the receiving end of medical care and transplant. So I don't know what to suggest or have any experience that relates to your situation. Does your employer have any knowledge of what it means to be a transplant recipient on antirejection medications? Does he have any medical background that would make it easier to approach him?
I want to tag another member who is also a transplant recipient and is a practicing nurse. @annmariaa, I know that you are facing a similar question about seeing patients during this COVID-19 situation. What do you have to say to dfenderso about his situation?