Should you take medication for autoimmune diseases? What you need to know about COVID-19 (COVID-19 and Autoimmune Drugs)

Do you have an autoimmune disease, a condition in which your body's immune system attacks its own cells? If so, you probably take daily medications to control the disease. With the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be worried, "Will this medication weaken my immune system and make me more susceptible to getting sick?" You may also have heard that these medications (especially immunosuppressants) and your autoimmune condition can increase your risk of complications if you get the virus. This is all true. But don't panic. Let's talk about this in detail today.

There are many things you can do to protect yourself from COVID-19. And, if you do get sick, your doctor will consider all aspects of your treatment and make the best decision.

What really happens with these autoimmune medications?

Simply put, an autoimmune disease is when the immune system, which is like the "army" that protects our body, mistakenly attacks our own healthy cells and tissues. It's like an army attacking its own people.

The medications used to treat this condition work by changing the way the immune system, which is already overactive, works. But not all medications work the same way. Some medications work by making the entire immune system work a little more. Others target specific cells that are involved in the problem and control their activity.

What diseases is this medicine used for?

These treatments are used for a variety of autoimmune diseases. Some examples are:

• Rheumatoid arthritis: A condition that causes swelling and pain in the joints.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): This includes intestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis .
• Multiple sclerosis: A disease that affects the nervous system.
• Psoriasis: A skin disease.
• Lupus: A disease that can affect various organs in the body.
• Thyroid diseases
• Type 1 diabetes

So should I stop taking the medicine?

No. You should definitely continue taking your medication. This includes any IV (saline) and injections that you have been prescribed. However, it is very important to talk to your doctor and let him/her know about this. He/she will tell you if any changes need to be made to your treatment.

Think about it this way. Controlling your autoimmune disease may be more important than the risk of developing COVID-19. Because if you stop taking your medication, your disease could suddenly flare up. If that happens, you could end up in the hospital. That puts you at even greater risk of exposure to COVID-19 or other viruses.

However, there are some cases where your doctor may decide to stop or delay your treatment for a while. This may happen if:

• If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19.
• If you have been in close contact with someone infected with COVID-19.

Before stopping your treatment, your doctor will consider several things:

• How is the spread of COVID-19 in the area where you live?
• What kind of medicine are you using?
• How serious is your illness?
• Are you over 60?
• Do you have other health problems, such as lung disease or heart disease?

What should I do to protect myself from COVID-19?

Like everyone else, you should practice good hygiene. That means washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Make sure to clean your palms, the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

As someone taking autoimmune medications, you need to be extra careful about these things:

• Avoid unnecessary travel.
• Avoid crowded places (social distancing). Stay home as much as possible.
• It would be great if you could send someone else to do things like buy groceries or get medicine.
• Keep at least 6 feet away from others.
• Wear a face mask every time you go out.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unnecessarily.
• If possible, keep enough medicine on hand for at least 2-4 weeks.
• Talk to your doctor about getting recommended vaccines for COVID-19, as well as for other illnesses such as flu, pneumonia, pertussis, and shingles .

When should I call the doctor?

It is very important that you are aware of the symptoms of COVID-19. If you have any of the following symptoms, inform your doctor immediately.