Another Coronavirus and what about those with autoimmune disorders? Should we panic?

[Wigglewaggle01]

I know it's another coronavirus thread and everyone is probably pig sick of them but how would you be feeling about the virus and it getting diagnosed much more in the UK if you had an auto-immune disease?
How likely is it to make people with autoimmune disorders very ill?

I'm not sure if I should be concerned or just think it would be a bad case of flu should I get it.

It's so difficult to find level headed advice and if someone like me with an autoimmune disorder should be worried?
Some people are all ' you only need to worry if you have pre-existing conditions' well that's all well and good until you are the one with a pre-existing condition!

So should I worry?
Should I be stockpiling?
Should I lockdown myself and my house?

Or is this just a bad case of flu (if you happen to be compromised to begin with) that will kick your arse for a few days but clear up like usual?

I don't have any answers but would like to know too (daughter has autoimmune disease). No word from the hospital yet.

Just take sensible precautions. The same as everyone else.

I have hypothyroidism which I believe is autoimmune. Does that count? If so, can someone please explain the link?

Also things like eczema and asthma; are they what you mean by autoimmune?

I am a bit worried as I am immuno suppressed and also asthmatic, but all we can do is take sensible precautions at the moment. I am allergic to the flu jab which doesn't help

I have microvascular angina and other problems. I am very worried.

1. it’s not flu though...

2. no asthma isn’t autoimmune

I have an autoimmune condition, severe asthma, work in a hospital, go to university and live not far from Brighton. I am not worried in the slightest.

@BarbedBloom
I asked my GP last week if asthma was autoimmune. He said no, it definitely was not.

Phew.

I think from Chinese reports that people with asthma were not affected as badly as those with other chronic conditions. I remember reading that and thinking oh good, but I can't find the source now.

Feesh- never heard of eczema being described as an autoimmune condition...Am trying not to panic now as DD2 has eczema

I did see some stats that indicated those with diabetes were more at risk but that was the only autoimmune one on the list. But I get the flu jab on the NHS because of my MS so presumably there's some additional risk to serious respiratory stuff.

It's psoriasis that is an autoimmune inflammatory condition.

Btw it’s not going to affect those who have auto immune conditions, your issue is more if you are immune suppressed. I am (by a medication I am on) by which I have the Spanish Inquisition every time I have a flu vaccine even though it isn’t a live vaccine and it’s better that I have it. I also have a blood test instead of hep b vaccines to check immunity first.

But again not worried. I had swine flu. If this does me in then well it is what it is. I can’t do anything about it so what’s the point in living my life worrying about it? I see people born and die in my job so I have more perspective I guess (many more born than die luckily).

Panicking is stupid, preparing and being cautious is smart. Having a reasonable stock of food/supplies is a good idea, and not just because of the corona virus. We should all be prepared for weather/natural disaster emergencies anyway. I am no manic prepper, but I do have a stock of food that could last for at least two months which I continually cycle through so nothing goes out of date. With very minimal planning it's easy to do this. Practice good hygiene and stay away from large crowds/public areas if you feel that's prudent. Perhaps refrain from kissing or hugging friends and shaking hands if you're very concerned due to your health issues.

I have allergic asthma, which is caused by a malfunctioning of my immune system, bit like anaphylaxis is.

I would think it would depend on the type if autoimmune condition and, most importantly, whether you are taking drugs that suppress your immune system to treat it.

@planningaheadtoday Unfortunately I have asthma in addition to rheumatoid arthritis so am on an immune suppressant, which is why I am a little concerned. Because of my asthma anything like flu gives me respiratory problems and last time I ended up in hospital. But as I said, all we can do is take sensible precautions and see how all this develops

If your dd has an autoimmune condition that requires her immune system to be suppressed, then the GP can give her specific advice. The best generic preventative advice seems to be to wash your hands regularly and wear a mask.

I think most people with autoimmune diseases are on some sort of immune suppresant, my daughter is on biologicals, they are at risk from normal diseases such as chicken pox (which can be very dangerous) and have to take antivirals if they have contact with infected people.
We have not been given any guidance re coronavirus yet.

I read on another thread on here that you are more susceptible to catching it if you have an autoimmune condition because of the way the virus cells will attach to your own cells. There’s something that makes it easier for the virus cells to attach if you have certain conditions. Sorry that this is not more scientific!

I take an immunosuppresant and no specific advice has been given re: Coronavirus.

Granted, I haven't actually asked anyone (consultant, nurse or GP who I see regularly for my condition)

@Francina670 It's related to the 'cytokine storm' that both autoimmune inflammatory conditions and influenza-like illnesses can set in motion.

Noone should be panicked. It should taken seriously in the sense that if you have been advised to quarantine yourself then you should absolutely do so not matter how inconvenient and not shrug it off. I know it’s hard I have RA and asthma and family members who are transplant patients and cancer sufferers and It’s natural to be concerned but at this stage the risk of infection is still low.

I'm compromised - I have autoimmune neutropenia and am on GCSF

I have Addison’s disease, asthma, anaemia, a pituitary tumour, kidney issues and lots of other stuff. I am no more worried about this than I am about catching normal flu. Some of the people in the forum I belong to have got themselves the private pneumonia vaccine as that seems to be the main dangerous complication of corona. Personally I think I have as much chance of catching shingles and getting a bad complication from that (which has happened to me before) or normal flu and being hospitalised so I am trying not to panic..!

Ok so what does the virus actually do to those that contract it?
Does it follow the symptoms of flu or is it something else entirely?

There doesn't seem to be any bare bones explanation of what Coronavirus is and what symptoms it causes in those that contract it, or maybe I just missed it?

Surely if we were all better informed those with autoimmune issues or pre-existing conditions that could mean they are more susceptible would be able to decide risk factor, how to keep themselves healthy and if it would even be a problem should they catch it anyway?

Some of the people in the forum I belong to have got themselves the private pneumonia vaccine as that seems to be the main dangerous complication of corona.

The Coronavirus causes the pneumonia. Being vaccinated against a different virus which causes pneumonia is pointless in helping stop Coronavirus complications.

Personally I think I have as much chance of catching shingles and getting a bad complication from that

You have zero chance of catching shingles. Shingles cannot be caught from another person. You could catch chicken pox from someone with active shingles.

Yes sorry. That didn’t make sense what I said about shingles. I just meant you can’t worry about it as chances are some other thing will be just as much of a problem to us anyway.