IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OUR PATIENTS WHO ARE BEING TREATED WITH
BIOLOGIC MEDICAL PRODUCTS
This is in response to your request for information regarding working during this period of time since you are immunocompromised from medical treatment. If you have any acute illness, then we recommend staying at home until acute illness has resolved. You may resume working as long as you have no signs of active infection and follow preventative measures. Furthermore, as long as you have no active symptoms/infections, we strongly recommend that all patients continue their biologic treatments as scheduled. Missing treatment may lead to disease flare, which will be more likely to suppress your immune system in a very different way and significantly increase risk for complications. If you develop any symptoms of a possible infection or had high risk contact for COVID-19, then you need to contact the appropriate providers as soon as possible to be tested. If infection is confirmed, then contact the Digestive Care Center for instructions on treatment adjustments, suspensions, etc., if warranted. Being immunocompromised, you are a higher-risk individual and will need to take extra precautions.
We recommend following the current guidelines to reduce infection from COVID-19 and other illnesses. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC has recommended for patients who are immunocompromised to wash hands and, if soap/water are not available, then use a hand sanitizer that contains more than 60% alcohol content; avoid touching your face; avoid close contacts with others; avoid crowds; stay home if you are sick; cover cough/sneeze; clean and disinfect home/surfaces; stay home as much as possible; and, have a plan for support if you get sick. The White House released recommendations regarding social distancing to reduce the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, including avoiding crowds of more than 10 people; working from home when feasible; avoiding any unnecessary travel; avoiding eating in restaurants/bars/food courts; and, avoiding visitation to long-term care facilities. These recommendations are changing on a daily basis and may become more stringent as the development of new cases arises.