Kidney Disease & COVID-19

News/Blogs

 

Overview

Older adults and people with kidney disease or other severe chronic medical conditions seem to be at higher risk for more serious Coronavirus illness. Because of this increased risk for kidney patients, you need to take action to reduce your risk of exposure.

  • Does kidney disease are at a higher risk?

People with kidney disease and other critical chronic medical ailments are at higher risk for more severe illness. People on dialysis can have weaker immune systems, making it harder to fight viruses. However, it is necessary to know that kidney patients need to proceed with their regularly scheduled dialysis procedures and to take unavoidable precautions as prescribed by their doctors. It is also necessary to wash hands, maintain good hygiene and follow the instructions from their hospitals.

  • Are there special precautions that someone with kidney disease should take?

Older adults and people with kidney disease or other severe chronic medical conditions seem to be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. If you are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, you should:

  • Stock up on groceries
  • Take daily precautions to keep space between yourself and others
  • When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact
  • Wash your hands often
  • Avoid crowds as much as possible
  • Stay home as much as possible.

Please remember that if you are on dialysis, you should not miss your treatments. Contact your hospital if you feel sick or have any questions or concerns.

  • What about people with autoimmune diseases that can harm the kidneys?

With an autoimmune disease, the body’s immune system attacks the body’s cells, tissues and organs. Many of these diseases, such as IgA and lupus, can also attack and harm the kidney. People with an autoimmune disease may be prescribed certain immunosuppressive medicines by their healthcare professional (depending on the disease and other factors). These medicines work by keeping the immune system less active, which can make it harder for the body to fight infections.

Recommendations to reduce risk from COVID-19:

  • keep taking any medicine as prescribed
  • wash your hands
  • maintain good hygiene

You should contact your healthcare organization like Tabba Kidney Institute.

You can find information on general COVID-19 prevention at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.