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.

@sueinmn

@amyintucson Thank you - my husband has talked about getting one, so I was curious as to which one you got. Does your state the "Irradiance" value? It seems like the claim of 10 second disinfection time might be overstated based on this: https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/does-uv-light-kill-coronavirus/uv-light-covid/
I'm getting a bit nervous about continuous use of chemical sanitizers, so looking for other, safer options since Covid-19 isn't about to "just go away" any time soon.
Thanks
Sue

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It has an optical power of 30mw - not sure how that calculates re distance. I'm good with this as nothing is perfect, germs are everywhere. And I'm with you that I hate the idea of more chemicals and trash going into our world.

I bought mine through Amazon, selected model really based on delivery time (some were anticipatinga June delivery)! I also have a cell phone UV sanitizer case made by Homedics that just barely holds my Note 9 phone. I also use it for my eyeglasses and any other small objects.

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Today on Mayo Clinic Transplant facebook, I saw this post. I want to re-post it here for anyone who is new and has not seen it. I think it is a good review for all of us - especially as many regions of our countries are beginning to ease restrictions and to reopen business and medical establishments.
- Specific Information about COVID-19 for Transplant Patients
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/transplant/newsfeed-post/specific-information-about-covid-19-for-transplant-patients/

While I have your attention, I also want to introduce you to the Transplant Pages section of Mayo Clinic Connect. You can follow the Transplant page to receive email notifications when new blog posts are published. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/transplant/

I sincerely hope that you find the information as helpful and reassuring as we seek to do right things to protect ourselves in this ever changing world.
How are you holding up to the challenges of change? How are you navigating your continuing health care as the medical centers are opening? If you have fallen behind with your routine labs or appointments, what are your plans for the tomorrows and next weeks and months?

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@rosemarya

Today on Mayo Clinic Transplant facebook, I saw this post. I want to re-post it here for anyone who is new and has not seen it. I think it is a good review for all of us - especially as many regions of our countries are beginning to ease restrictions and to reopen business and medical establishments.
- Specific Information about COVID-19 for Transplant Patients
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/transplant/newsfeed-post/specific-information-about-covid-19-for-transplant-patients/

While I have your attention, I also want to introduce you to the Transplant Pages section of Mayo Clinic Connect. You can follow the Transplant page to receive email notifications when new blog posts are published. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/transplant/

I sincerely hope that you find the information as helpful and reassuring as we seek to do right things to protect ourselves in this ever changing world.
How are you holding up to the challenges of change? How are you navigating your continuing health care as the medical centers are opening? If you have fallen behind with your routine labs or appointments, what are your plans for the tomorrows and next weeks and months?

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Thanks, @rosemarya Even having read this information before, it's always good to refresh. I keep getting updates from MGH also.
JK

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I worry every time i have to go outside that I'll get sick

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@michaelswaim

I worry every time i have to go outside that I'll get sick

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@michaelswaim Welcome to Mayo Connect! I see you are new here, and a double transplant recipient. Congratulation on that and being a year post-transplant! Even though transplant patients are told about their new normal at time of the surgery, having to double efforts can certainly produce anxiety and worry. All of us who are at high risk have to insist on many precautions, and not be afraid to stand up when someone is violating practices that will help keep us healthy. We watch out for ourselves by deep cleaning, hand sanitizing, masks/gloves, social distancing, minimizing contact with others. For myself, I do the best I can. How often are you going outside? Do you see people still being careful?
Ginger

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@michaelswaim

I worry every time i have to go outside that I'll get sick

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@michaelswaim, After your transplant last fall, were you getting comfortable with going out before the Covid-19 outbreak? Had you had enough time to develop healthy post transplant practices before February?
Soon after my transplant, I also was fearful about going out, especially during flu season. Washing hands. no handshakes. and avoiding crowds was not easy to get used to for me at first. And this is true for many of us transplant recipients (and our family). Some time back I started a discussion where transplant patients shared their tips in -Top Transplant Hacks: Patients Share Their Best Tips and Tricks
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/transplant/newsfeed-post/top-transplant-hacks-patients-share-their-best-tips-and-tricks/
Then the Mayo transplant staff took our ideas and created this article!
Living Life after your Transplant
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-life-after-your-transplant
I invite you to take a look and see what others have shared. You will see that you are not alone in your feelings. I invite you to add your thoughts and/or questions there.

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@michaelswaim

I worry every time i have to go outside that I'll get sick

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@michaelswaim Michael, if you are taking the appropriate precautions try to not worry. If you stay away from people, wear a mask and gloves if you are touching anything (then immediately dispose of the gloves), you should be fine. Use a hand disinfectant if you do have to touch anything and then wash your hands thoroughly when you get home. You will be fine.

We are getting our groceries delivered and wiping everything down with disinfectant before putting it away. We have shopping bags lined up to put the mail in and let it set for a few days before opening it.

We walk in the neighborhood, it's well spaced, and go to the HS track to walk. In both places everyone is very respectful of keeping their distance.

If you do all of the suggesting things then you can't make yourself crazy worrying about it. Do you have to go out to go shopping or go to work? I am hoping that you do not. Many workplaces are having all of their employees work from home now. My son, daughter, and son-in-law are all doing that.
JK

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@michaelswaim

I worry every time i have to go outside that I'll get sick

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Michaelswaim- I compare my post transplant journey to that commercial where the new mother hardly lets her first born out of her sight and by the third kid she is handing him off to a guy covered in dirt. Establish good habits and practices and they become second nature after a while.

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@almula

my wife buying fresh fruits but she wash it carefully.

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We spray our fresh fruit with white vinegar and then rinse with cold water. We also put vegetables in a bowl with vinegar and water. After 5-10 minutes we rinse well with cold water.

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@lkeffle

We spray our fresh fruit with white vinegar and then rinse with cold water. We also put vegetables in a bowl with vinegar and water. After 5-10 minutes we rinse well with cold water.

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@lkeffle, Welcome to Mayo Connect! I am a transplant recipient and a volunteer mentor. I am happy that you have shared your tip here. On Connect we share our own experiences to support and help each other. As a new member, I want to share a couple of links to get you started -
-Tips for Participating in an Online Community
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/tips-for-participating-in-an-online-community/
-Living Life after your Transplant
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-life-after-your-transplant/

I think that you will enjoy reading these discussions and I invite you to join in anywhere.

@lkeffle, What brings you to Connect? What organ have you received? How can I help you?

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