As the outbreak of COVID-19 widens, transplant patients have some special concerns. Meenakshi M. Rana, MD, the Director of Transplant Infectious Disease, Mount Sinai Health System, shares her perspectives on what transplant patients need to know about the virus.
Should transplant patients be concerned about COVID-19?
We’re just learning how this virus could potentially affect transplant patients. We do know that this virus is similar to other common respiratory viruses, and that the symptoms have a lot in common with the flu. Many of the patients affected by COVID-19 have mild symptoms, typically fever and cough. Many of them are fine at home, though some patients may have more severe complications such as pneumonia and may require hospitalization.
What is the special concern for these patients?
We are very concerned about our transplant patients because they have compromised immune systems, and they’re more at risk of having severe complications. It’s really important that our transplant patients take precautionary measures such as hand hygiene. We know the virus is spread by direct contact. However, it is easily killed simply by washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. So washing your hands is the most effective thing you can do to prevent transmission of this virus.
What other precautions should transplant patients take?
First of all, if you’re sick, please stay home. If you need to cough, don’t cough into your hands, cough into your elbow. Throughout your home, use a disinfectant to wipe off surfaces that are commonly used such as door handles, bathroom fixtures, and countertops.
As a practical precaution, make sure that you have an adequate supply of your medications at home. Call your physician and ask for a three-month supply of your transplant medications so you don’t run out.
And if you do go out, be very conscientious about hand hygiene and disinfecting surface like your phone. If you know someone is sick, this is not the time to visit with them. And in general, avoid large crowds.
What about masks?
We have been getting a lot of questions about whether protective masks are effective. We don’t think wearing a mask in public is an effective way of protecting yourself. Washing your hands and disinfecting surfaces is a much better way to prevent transmission of this virus.
What should transplant patients do if they have symptoms of COVID-19?
If you have symptoms such as fever, coughing, or shortness of breath, call your transplant provider. We want to know if our patients aren’t feeling well. We will ask about your symptoms. If you’re having mild symptoms, such as a cough, sore throat, or runny nose, we may advise you just to stay at home. We’ll follow up in a day or so to see how you’re doing. If your condition has worsened, and you have a high fever and shortness of breath, we may bring you into the hospital and evaluate you further. If you do decide to come in, we ask that you call ahead so that we know how to triage you, and so that we can determine the best location to receive you.
Meenakshi M. Rana, MD, is the Director of Transplant Infectious Disease for the Mount Sinai Health System. She is also Associate Professor of Medicine of Infectious Diseases at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.