Well by now everyone should be aware that the most at risk of contracting & becoming seriously ill from this COVID–19 pandemic are, you guessed it... The Elderly, all those with a chronic illness...
However, there is still no particular advising for Australian people with an MPN, other than to apply all of the General Precautions.
Hence, this information comes from sources abroad, including:
* MPN VOICE
* MPN RESEARCH FOUNDATION in the USA
Here are the General Guidelines provided for MPN Patients from the UK:
This information comes from the USA:We will try to summarise some relevant information
1.Patients with a myeloproliferative neoplasm (ET, PV or myelofibrosis) who are on aspirin alone, blood thinning tablets (like warfarin, apixaban or rivaroxaban), venesection alone or no treatment at all only need to follow the government’s general advice (see link above) and are not considered high risk.
2.Patients over the age of 70 with a MPN, or any MPN patient with additional illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, are considered more vulnerable and should follow the government’s guidelines for vulnerable individuals (see link above).
3.Patients under 70 years of age who are on medications to control their blood count or their MPN like Hydroxycarbamide, Interferon, Anagrelide, Busulfan and combinations are in a group where the situation is unclear and there is no clear evidence that they are high risk. But they should at the very least follow the government’s general guidance.
4. Patients taking ruxolitinib regardless of their diagnosis may be at higher risk and are considered to be potentially more vulnerable. These patients should follow government advice for vulnerable individuals.
In addition
6. All patients should continue with their current medication because keeping good control of your MPN is an important priority.
7. While there have been some concerns that ibuprofen or similar drugs may make COVID-19 worse, there is no current suspicion that this is the case for aspirin.
Please note that this represents the collective opinions of MPN clinicians; MPN is not a simple Blood Cancer. The situation may change rapidly please check for updates and if you are not certain discuss with your clinical team but bear in mind the pressures that they will be under.
We at MPNRF have been fielding many questions from the patient community about the Covid-19, or Coronavirus, situation. While information is still coming in and what we all know continues to emerge, Dr. Scherber suggested that she could answer for the public some questions she has received from patients in her practice. We have included them below along with other resources from trusted health sources. The MPN research foundation and us as MPN physicians will continue to monitor and keep you updated as best we can should this change. To make sure you receive updates register for our email and newsletter at no charge by clicking here.
FAQS WITH DR. SCHERBER
Am I most susceptible to coronavirus because I have an MPN?
We don’t know yet, so it is best to show appropriate caution and follow guidelines from the CDC and WHO about hygiene and avoiding large gatherings. The data to help answer the questions as to whether coronavirus is going to be a huge problem or more of a nuisance for most patients with MPN is just not there. Although most folks that have severe COVID19 virus injections have serious underlying comorbid health issues—even to us physicians they really haven’t been told the details what most of those are. Most cases that I have heard of suggest that underlying lung or heart disease seems to be the most problematic. It is true that we know that some viral infections can be more frequent and/or more severe in those with MPN-- more in MF, somewhat more in PV, and less in ET. However, if we take the flu (which is also a viral infection) as an example, I have only known a few MF patients ever have
the flu severe enough to be hospitalized and only one that I can think of that has passed from it. I have known no ET or PV patients who have ever needed to be hospitalized from the flu. Thus, it stands to reason that most patients will be okay.
I have a job that I work with a lot of people, such as working at a school. Should I not go to work?
It makes sense to be reasonably cautious when possible. I would take every allowable precaution that your workplace (with the help of your physician) will allow you. For those with jobs that may put them directly in touch with large groups of people such as those who work as a teacher, in healthcare, education, etc. , I have in the past offered to help them and their employer to find a reasonable accommodation for the job, just as phoning in for meetings or events, moving their workspace to more secluded spot, and allowing work from home at times. Hand hygiene, “social distancing,” and staying away from those that have symptoms is the best idea regardless of your infection risk. I also urge you to talk with your physician. If you and your doctor agree that you are at higher risk, they are able to help you with the paperwork needed to file such as (Family & Medical Leave Act) FLMA or state unemployment benefits.
Should I still go to my doctor’s visit? Aren’t hospitals the worst place to be?
I would recommend calling your doctor’s office first. The policy about who is to come in may have changed in light of Covid and/or they may have some questions to ask you to help keep you and the other patients safe. At our center - University of Texas San Antonio Medical Center-, we are implementing protocols to screen people when they check-in for their visit for possible coronavirus symptoms and see them in specific rooms or locations in order to keep other individuals safe.
Availability of medicines that people with MPN use
MPNRF has checked with several suppliers of medicines used by people living with an MPN and none have reported to us that they would be impacted by the disruption that has been caused by Covid-19. We will continue to alert the community should this change.
Best wishes everyone and take good care of each other out there...
Steve
Inspirational stuff! I've acquired a new young rescue dog in January - she's been good motivation to get out on walks! We had a long period with old dogs who were happy with a slow trundle around the block - it's quite a change!!