fbpx

Gift of Life Michigan urges transplant community to take health and safety precautions

hagancropped

In the wake of the rapidly spreading new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, experts urge transplant recipients to use extra caution to protect themselves and their loved ones.

The virus, first detected last year, is particularly dangerous to the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, and many organ transplant recipients fall under that latter category. There is no direct information about whether COVID-19 infection is more likely in transplant recipients compared with healthy people, but it is important to take precautions, said Dr. Michael Hagan, patient safety officer at Gift of Life Michigan.

“They just have to be more careful,” said Hagan, a former ER doctor who is also a liver recipient. “We are at a higher risk, theoretically, because of our compromised immune systems.”

Hagan said it’s important to follow the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for social distancing. The recommendations are applicable not just for transplant recipients but for everyone. They include:

  • Stay at home whenever possible and try to maintain a six-foot distance between yourself and other people if you must go out.
  • Avoid crowds.
  • Do not travel, particularly to areas with a high number of cases.
  • Wash hands frequently with soap, for at least 20 seconds each time. Use hand sanitizers, too.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes and discard tissues right away.
  • If any family member has recently traveled to an area with high Covid-19 activity, avoid contact with them for 14 days to ensure they are healthy.
  • If you think you are experiencing any symptoms of the virus – which include fever, dry cough, shortness of breath and other flu-like symptoms – contact your physician.

The American Society of Transplantation has put together a comprehensive list of common questions and answers, as well as other advice. The National Kidney Foundation has provided tips for patients on dialysis, too.

Hagan said anyone who still has questions should contact their personal care team.

Transplant recipients should also make sure that their family, friends and acquaintances follow the guidelines.

“I wish everyone would follow these recommendations,” Hagan said. “There are some people who are not taking this very seriously. It’s a serious issue. We all need to do our part.”

Read More Posts
2023: A RECORD YEAR; 500 organ donors

Gift of Life Michigan breaks record for organ donors in a year

Unprecedented 500 donors save lives so far in 2023 Michigan’s organ and tissue donation program…

Read More
a green stethoscope surrounding two pink paper kidneys on a gray background

Gift of Life Michigan CEO praises protections for living organ donors

Gift of Life Michigan celebrates the passage of a law that prevents health insurers from…

Read More
Two teenage girls wearing disposable glasses that mimic the need for a cornea transplant.

A new bill will require education about organ donation in Michigan public schools

A new bill introduced Tuesday in the Michigan House would require education about organ, eye…

Read More
Family of four, including a toddler and a newborn

Tissue donor changes life for breast cancer survivor

“I can look in the mirror every day and not be reminded of the hell…

Read More
Guadalupe Alejos, who received a kidney transplant 50 years ago, standing in front of the Kidney Transplant Center sign

Transplant Throwback: Guadalupe Alejos 

Name: Guadalupe Alejos Age: 77 Home: Grand Rapids Transplant: Kidney at Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center…

Read More
Heart transplant recipient Rachel Kuntzsch

Lansing heart recipient saves lives by telling her story of hope

Life was “exceedingly rich” for Rachel Kuntzsch when it nearly slipped into darkness forever. She…

Read More
Scroll to Top