Everyone seems to have a question about their condition and the increase in risk of COVID-19. While I know there probably aren't any doctors with enough time to peruse these forums, many have some medical knowledge and can help shed some light.
My question: a family member of mine has RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis), which is an autoimmune disease. Young age demographic (under 40). Does that place them at a higher risk?
https://www.arthritis.org/about-us/news-and-updates/coronavirus-and-arthritis-what-you-need-to-knowQ: Am I more likely to catch COVID-19 if I have autoimmune or inflammatory arthritis?
A: We don’t know yet about this virus, says Kevin Winthrop, MD, a specialist in infectious disease epidemiology at OHSU School of Medicine in Portland, Oregon. However, in general, people with autoimmune or inflammatory arthritis who have high disease activity seem to have an increased risk of infections due to greater immune dysregulation.
For COVID-19 and seasonal flu, we do know that older adults and those with pre-existing health problems – especially cardiovascular disease, diabetes and high blood pressure – and those who have been hospitalized before with infections are most at risk.
The experts emphasize that one of the main concerns for people with autoimmune disease who contract seasonal flu or COVID-19 is secondary bacterial infection, or complications, that may follow the original viral infection.
For these reasons, it’s important to call your doctor right away if you think you’ve been exposed or are experiencing flu-like symptoms. Be sure to state that you are taking immune-suppressing drugs. (Read more below on immunosuppressant drugs and risk.)
