COVID-19 presents particular dangers for people living with chronic kidney disease, especially dialysis patients and transplant recipients.* Dialysis patients are at a higher risk of having a severe reaction to COVID-19, and the immunosuppressive drugs used by transplant recipients put them at a higher risk of infection.

Keeping transplant recipients safe

To reduce exposure to COVID-19 during the coronavirus pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Kidney Fund (AKF) emphasize that people with transplants should follow the CDC’s recommendations meticulously and contact their doctor immediately if they feel sick or develop flu-like symptoms.

To review, the CDC’s guidelines are as follows:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If you can’t wash your hands, use a 90% alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay at least six feet away from other people. 
• Stay home if you feel sick or have flu-like symptoms.
• Cover your face with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue away immediately.
• Frequently disinfect any touched surfaces.

Keeping dialysis patients safe

The CDC has responded to this issue by partnering with the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) to provide dialysis centers with guidelines to help identify and address suspected coronavirus cases, protect other patients from exposure, and handle patient concerns. 

To ensure your continued health and treatment, you might consider the following with your dialysis center:

• Wait in your car, instead of the reception area, before your appointment.
• Learn what steps you should take if you develop flu-like symptoms.
• Find out if the center will give you a face mask to wear during your treatment.
• Ask what the center’s protocols are if they have a suspected case of COVID-19 and how you will be informed in case of an emergency.
• Figure out how and where you will receive dialysis if you get sick.

The AKF also suggests that dialysis patients stock enough food to be able to follow the Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) 3 Day Emergency Diet Plan should that become necessary. 

Further resources

The American Kidney Fund has created a special coronavirus resource page on its website to help kidney patients as much as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. The page contains articles, blog posts, videos, and webinars that cover a variety of topics, many of which are particularly helpful for low-income dialysis and transplant patients.

*Spigler, M. (2020, Mar. 20). American Kidney Fund. Coronavirus, COVID-19 and Kidney Patients: What You Need to Know.