IBD Patient Guidance
Every IBD patient knows the challenge of making the decision to stay home sick from work or school, and the difficulty of not going to a movie or dinner because of IBD symptoms. With the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), it has become even more challenging for patients to make decisions about navigating their daily life.
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Credible sources | Suspected/Positive COVID-19 | Health and safety
Check out our Facebook Live discussion on the SECURE-IBD Registry, an international database to monitor and report on outcomes of COVID-19 occurring in IBD patients. Watch the video below or view slides from the talk:
Get information from credible sources
The web is full of information and recommendations. Some information is written by experts, social influencers, and the media. Sorting through this information and understanding what’s being researched, approved and what is safe to use can be difficult. With the rise of this pandemic comes those who are looking to profit off the fears of the masses through promoting “treatments” or “cures” that lack evidence and may cause harm. Any recommendation found on TV, on a website, or in social media should be discussed with your healthcare team.
The best source of information can be found by visiting your local health department websites. The news media is providing general information but may not be providing specifics for your community. As you and your family make decisions, please visit your local health department’s website for specific guidance.
Guidance for patients with COVID-19
If you or a loved one is positive for—or suspected to have—COVID-19, there are precautions you should take to protect those living around you. Most of us are living in shared spaces—whether we are in apartments, condos or single-family homes, our family or roommates are sharing the same space. The recommendations below will help protect those sharing spaces from spreading SARS-CoV-2 to their family or roommates.
For adults that do not need assistance from a caregiver:
- Wear a mask as often as possible. Change mask daily.
- Isolate in one room, limiting exposure to other parts of the house or apartment as much as possible
- Designate one bathroom for use by any person suspected or positive for COVID-19
- If designating a bathroom isn’t an option, the CDC recommends the bathroom be cleaned and disinfected after each use by an ill person
- If this is not possible, others in the house or apartments should wait as long as possible after use by the ill person and disinfect high touch surfaces (handle, lid, seat of the toilet, sink, etc.)
- After toileting, flush with the toilet lid closed
- Clean the bathroom with disinfectant after use. Wash hands and use disposable towels if possible.
- If you have an ostomy, see our resource on ostomies and waste disposal for additional guidance
- Perform proper hand hygiene frequently. See healthy hygiene practices for more details
For adults or pediatric patients that depend on a caregiver:
- Caregiver should wear a mask as often as possible, especially when interacting with someone who may be positive for COVID-19
- Caregiver should also wear gloves and a disposable apron if available
- Caregiver should wear gloves when removing trash and when disinfecting any surface soiled with body fluids
- Bathroom disinfection should occur after use by a symptomatic person
- Caregiver should perform hand hygiene before and after wearing a mask and gloves
Reminders for all patients
- Use healthy hygiene practices. Click here for more information.
- Call your primary care provider if you are feeling sick and believe you might have the coronavirus or the flu.
- If available, use telemedicine to be evaluated before going to the doctor’s office or Emergency Room (ER).
- If you are feeling sick, stay home from work.
- See additional guidance:
Browse a list of publications referenced by the CDC:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/publications.html
This information was developed by members of the Foundation's National Scientific Advisory Committee.
Last updated August 25, 2021