RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (IBD) DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

We make the following recommendations for people living with IBD:

1. Stay on your current medications to prevent IBD flare. Do not stop or add medications, including steroids, without first contacting your specialist or the IBD team.
2. Practice good hygiene – frequent handwashing with soap and water or the use of hand sanitizer are recommended, particularly when outside the home, before and after eating, after using the toilet, or after touching anything that others may have recently touched. Remember, the virus can be spread by coughing or sneezing by an infected individual, or by touching surfaces contaminated by someone else.
3. Follow the recommendations from your state and the federal government (see link) with respect to social distancing. Ensure that everyone in your household or close workplace also follows recommendations related to social distancing and hygiene.
4. If you can work from home, or if you can attend school/university from home, then you should do this.
5. If you are not working or studying, you should stay at home as much as possible, and limit trips to buy food, visit the pharmacy or attend other essential places.
6. Cessation of smoking is recommended. Smoking can worsen IBD and lead to more severe COVID infection. You may need support to stop smoking.
7. If you develop symptoms concerning for COVID-19 (see link) contact your GP, local hospital or COVID testing clinic, or phone HealthDirect on 1800 022 222 for advice regarding testing. The National Coronavirus Helpline can also be contacted at 1800 020 080. You should also notify your specialist via telephone or IBD team helpline.
8. If you have risks for COVID-19 infection (recently returned from overseas or in contact with a person with COVID-19 infection) or have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection you will be placed in self-isolation – this means you cannot leave your home for 14 days. You should follow all recommendations of the local health authorities.
9. You should obtain the influenza vaccination when available.

GESA will provide updated recommendations as the situation unfolds over the coming weeks.

Disclaimer:
The Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) provides advice to gastroenterologists and other clinicians caring for IBD patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. It should be noted that this advice is general in nature and thought to be correct at the time of posting. The user should have regard to any information, research or other material, which may have been published or become available subsequently. It is recommended that this advice be considered in line with directives provided by the Departments of Health and Local Health Districts.