What can people with sickle cell disease do to decrease the risk of getting the Covid-19 virus ?

• Get Vaccinated
  • www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/How-Do-I-Get-a-COVID-19-Vaccine.html
• Wash your hands 
• Wear a mask 
• Practice safe social distancing​

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What options are available for Covid-19 treatment? 
The FDA has approved the antiviral drug Veklury (remdesivir) for adults and certain pediatric patients with COVID-19. This is an intravenous therapy (IV). The FDA has also approved the immune modulator Olumiant (baricitinib) for certain hospitalized adults with COVID-19.

Types of therapeutic products authorized under an Emergency Use Authorization are:

• SARS-COV-2-targeting Monoclonal Antibodies-SARS-COV-2-targeting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are laboratory-produced antibodies that can help the immune system's attack on SARS-COV-2. These mAbs block entry into human cells, thus neutralizing the virus.
• Antiviral Drugs-Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, an inhaled powder, or an intravenous solution) that fight against viruses in your body
• Immune Modulators -Immune modulators are a category of drugs that help activate, boost, or suppress the immune function. In the case of COVID-19 infection, the immune system can become hyperactive which may result in worsening of disease. Immune modulators can help suppress this hyperinflammation.  
• Sedatives-Sedatives are drugs that maintain sedation, generally via continuous intravenous infusion, in patients who are intubated and require mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting
• Renal Replacement Therapies- Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a type of “dialysis,” which is a machine treatment that filters and purifies the blood when a patient’s kidneys are damaged or are not functioning normally. CRRT is used for patients with kidney injury in acute care settings.  
  
  SARS-CoV-2 led to an increased population with critical illness and multiple organ failure, including acute kidney injury, increasing the need for CRRT.​

For more information visit :
​www.fda.gov/drugs/emergency-preparedness-drugs/coronavirus-covid-19-drugs
 www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/know-your-treatment-options-covid-19

It is especially important for people with medical conditions, such as SCD, that put them at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and those who live with them, to protect themselves from getting COVID-19. For more information, see Sickle Cell Disease Association of America’s Medical and Research Advisory Committee statement.
 
​COVID-19 and Sickle Cell Disease: Frequently Asked Questions

Reference:
​Coronavirus Disease Among Persons with Sickle Cell Disease, United States, March 20–May 21, 2020.  Panepinto JA, Brandow A, Mucalo L, Yusuf F, Singh A, Taylor B, Payne AB, Peacock G, Schieve LA. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2020 Oct. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2610.202792external icon​