The American Gastroenterological Association released guidance for gastroenterologists treating patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
What you should know:
1. IBD patients have significant infection risk and need to go into clinics for regular infusions.
2. AGA recommends IBD patients continue their scheduled infusions. Current research does not suggest that IBD patients face an increased risk for developing COVID-19.
3. If an IBD patient has COVID-19 symptoms, gastroenterologists should stop using thiopurines, methotrexate, tofacitinib and biologics therapies. These therapies can be resumed when the COVID-19 symptoms dissipate.
4. AGA recommends patients speak with their healthcare team before stopping any medication.
The entire guideline is available here.