2. Don’t stop your medication; preventing disease flares is a priority.
3. Ensure you have a good supply of medication should you need to self isolate.
4. Contact your local IBD team via the phone or email helpline if you are experiencing a flare.
5.Quit smoking as this increases the risk and severity of COVID 19 infection & avoid NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen).
6.Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face; this goes for everyone.
7. Work from home if possible, avoid non-essential travel & contact with people.
8. Government guidelines on self-isolation and social distancing are changing rapidly so please visit www.gov.uk and www.nhs.uk to keep up to date. If you are unclear on your level of risk, contact your local IBD helpline for further advice.
9. If you develop a cough, fever or flu like symptoms you should follow the government’s recommendations about self-isolation and household quarantine. If you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, or your condition gets worse, or your symptoms do not get better after 7 days, then use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service. If you do not have internet access, call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.
10. Take care of yourself but also be kind and considerate to others in these difficult times.