COVID-19 What do people with immune deficiency need to do?

@chillywillie, you are asking some really good questions. Can you still go out to get your infusions is really a question for your doctor or medical facility. Are you able to call them to discuss the risks?

Mayo Clinic has a dedicated page for COVID-19 where you can find helpful information and may be able to answer some of your questions.
-- https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/category/covid-19/

You may also find the following podcast helpful. Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Dr. Gregory Poland, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases expert, answers COVID-19 questions: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-qa-podcast-dr-gregory-poland-a-mayo-clinic-infectious-diseases-expert-answers-covid-19-questions/

@chillywillie Great questions. I'm tagging fellow member @sparshall @anniepie @sassykitten93 @xfirerose @ldestella to see how they are managing during this crisis with their primary immunodeficiency conditions and getting intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions at this time.

Willie, as you know primary immunodeficiency disorders — also called primary immune disorders or primary immunodeficiency — weaken the immune system, allowing infections and other health problems to occur more easily. So you have to take all precautions and be vigilant about your health. Here is some advice from Mayo Clinic that will help:

- What to do if you suspect COVID-19 https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-to-do-if-you-suspect-covid-19/
- 10 steps from Mayo Clinic’s Infection Prevention and Control team to minimize the spread of COVID-19 https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/10-steps-from-mayo-clinics-infection-prevention-and-control-team-to-minimize-the-spread-of-covid-19/
- COVID-19: Symptoms that require emergency care https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-symptoms-that-require-emergency-care/

The best way you can protect yourself is to
- Wash your hands. Wash them often and properly (soap and warm water for a least 20 seconds and make sure you scrub all surfaces: the back of your hands, wrists and under the fingernails too.)
- Keep your distance from others, called social distancing.

To find out if you can continue to get infusions, please call your clinic or hospital where you get the infusions. They can tell you want you need to do to get treatment or if treatment is being suspended. I'd be interested to hear what you find out.

Doesn’t seem anyplace knows what us cid
Patients should do to assist our system
In prevention other then lots vit c ? And no one seems to answer the gamma globulin questions on infusion if the ivigg has testing against ANY VIRUSES!
And if it’s bern radiated or what. We are all rare birds but science an medicine SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE IVIGG SUPLY AND HOW SAFE IS IT!
What’s tested in it since it’s a blood source product !
With all the druggies our selling thier plasma who knows what tests are REALLY FONE! And how pure is it??
As pricey as this stuff is to get you would think this high priority need would be worthy of purring! It again is all about following the money trails!
Plus to prioritize the other humans with immune deficiency should be hi priority

Hi @chillywillie, like you, I refer to trusted sources on the internet for information. Here's some information that I found from regarding COVID-19 and the safety of blood products:

- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-issues/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-frequently-asked-questions#biologics
See the section on Vaccines, Biologics, Human Tissues, and Blood Products

"Q: Does COVID-19 present a risk to the safety of the nation’s blood supply?
A: In general, respiratory viruses are not known to be transmitted by blood transfusion, and there have been no reported cases of transfusion-transmitted coronavirus.

Q: What steps are being taken to protect the U.S. blood supply from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19?
A: Blood donors must be healthy and feel well on the day of donation. Routine blood donor screening measures that are already in place should prevent individuals with respiratory infections from donating blood. For example, blood donors must be in good health and have a normal temperature on the day of donation.

Donors are instructed to contact the donor center if they become ill after donation, so that their blood or plasma will not be used. Even when a donor develops COVID-19 after donation, however, there have been no cases of COVID-19 linked to donor blood or products made from blood."

There's more information on the website. Additionally, you can ask your hospital about the measures they take. Ensuring that blood products are safe is a top priority.

Hello!!! may i first say pls take a deep breath n breathe. I was just released from a 4-day quarantine in my local hospital. I am just over one week till my next infusion...when i feel my worst, and am fine now. originally went to my PCP for upper respiratory infection n he suggested i go to ED on this past Monday. I did n while waiting, my daughter text me stating she was exposed to ppl whom were positive. I told the hospital that and they swept me away into protocol n did a great job. I myself am also a RN disabled n have a master's public health. n watched from the inside. So, stay home, listen to ur body first a foremost...u know it better than the docs. if u feel u need meds..call ur doc, but otherwise stay home n do ur best...that's all we can do...n pray xo

Such a great, common sense post, Idestella! Thanks for sharing and also your hospital experience. Glad they were quickly responsive when you described your situation! Our healthcare workers so deserve our thanks and praise and prayers for their continuing bravery and care as they daily expose themselves to very ill people.

I am a liver transplant patient from Nevada and have concerns getting my weekly labs. I have been using LabCorp. I self quarantine in my truck until they call me on my phone to do my blood draws. I wear a face mask and open the door with a Clorox wipe and wear eye protection. I disinfect my shoes at home and wash my hands and clothes. My mail is disinfected before I touch it. Am I over reacting or is there anything else I can do besides staying at home?

I don't think you are being over reacting. It's better safe than sorry. Does your doctor need you to do lab work every week? Can you do it twice a month? Discuss your concern with your doctor.

I kinda think you're getting a little too carried away with fear. Yes it's good to be cautious, but I am six months out from my TP. I think wearing eye protection isn't giving you much a d disinfecting your mail. While I wouldn't discourage from doing whatever you feel comfortable doing, I think keeping your distance is more important. Also find how many cases have been confirmed in your area. If there hasn't been many, decrease your concern a little. if there has been a lot, be more careful.

@jdlogan65 Good morning. I don’t think you’re being over cautious. Maybe sterilizing the mail is a bit much, but.... When did you have your transplant? Maybe @rosemarya can advise you. She is also a liver transplant patient