With the rise of COVID-19 cases in the US, we wanted to shed some light on what this means for individuals with inflammatory bowel disease. Considering that IBD is a condition in which your immune system is overresponsive to perceived threats, you may wonder if that makes you more susceptible to contracting the COVID-19 virus or more likely to experience a severe case if you did contract it. There is limited research available indicating individuals with IBD are more susceptible to COVID-19 although it is generally recognized that there is an increased risk to contracting the virus when there is active bowel inflammation (a flare).(1)

To limit susceptibility to COVID-19, it is important to keep your UC or CD symptoms under control during this time. Extra attention to nutrition can support not only our IBD but also our immune system overall. As many Americans wait to receive the vaccine, we can continue to practice good hygiene, social distancing, and mask-wearing to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

For more information on IBD & COVID-19, check out the following sources:

IBD & Coronavirus from CCFA

https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/coronavirus/what-ibd-patients-should-know

IBD Patient Guidance from John Hopkins: 

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/inflammatory_bowel_disease_center/covid-19-guidance.html

1. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. What IBD patients need to know about COVID-19. (2020).
2. Neurath, M. F. COVID-19 and immunomodulation in IBD. Gut 69, 1335–1342 (2020).
3. Brenner, E. J. et al. Corticosteroids, But Not TNF Antagonists, Are Associated With Adverse COVID-19 Outcomes in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Results From an International Registry. Gastroenterology 159, 481-491.e3 (2020).
4. Kelly, R. IBD Patient Guidance: COVID-19. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/inflammatory_bowel_disease_center/covid-19-guidance.html.

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