COVID-19 guidance for patients with vasculitis - update 3/4/20

The Irish Government has now advised that we should all follow enhanced ‘social-distancing’ measures by staying at home and avoiding day-to-day contacts with other people.

Some vasculitis patients who are taking immunosuppressive medications are considered to be at ‘high’ risk (or extremely vulnerable), were they to catch the virus. Whilst all vasculitis patients should follow social distancing there will be a need for most of those taking immunosuppressant drugs to follow stricter social distancing guidelines: stay at home, not go out for shopping and not go to work. Local teams are working to identify and contact these patients so that they and their Family Doctor are aware. However, you do not need to wait to be contacted – if you think you are in one of the high-risk groups then you should stay at home.

‘High’ risk is determined by the immunosuppressant drugs that you have taken in the last year and whether you have any of the other risk factors the government has previously published, including being over 70 years old; having another health problem (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney, heart or lung disease); or a flare in your vasculitis in the last 6 months.

It may still be necessary to attend for hospital visits or vasculitis treatment, and you should be guided by your local vasculitis team/consultant in these cases. Please be assured that medical services are being maintained for non-COVID-19-related acute problems, such as vasculitis flare, at the major regional hospitals.

Unless advised otherwise by your local vasculitis team, It is important you continue all your immunosuppressant medications. The health risk associated with a flare of your disease is likely to be greater than the risks associated with COVID-19.

In addition to the HSE websites, you can read further information here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

If you do contract the COVID-19 virus, please fill in as much detail as possible in the vasculitis survey and journal entry sections of the pMp vasculitis support app. We are trying to learn as much as we can, as quickly as possible. 

Your feedback will help us to learn about this new disease and how it affects patients with vasculitis.