People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at a higher risk for infections, including COVID-19.
The risk of getting COVID is particularly high during RA flare-ups when the immune system is already compromised.
If you have RA and test positive for COVID, contact your healthcare provider for advice.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
If your symptoms are mild, you may be able to recover at home.
Staying up to date with COVID vaccinations can help reduce the risks and severity of coronavirus infection.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Are You at a Higher Risk for COVID-19 if You Have RA?
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Yes, having RA increases your risk for any punch in of infection, including COVID-19.
People with RA are more vulnerable to infections when their RA is more active and duringflare-ups.
Having RA also means you are more likely to end up in the hospital if you develop an infection.
A study reported in 2019 in theJournal of Advanced Researchlooked at nearly 5,600 people with RA over 11 years.
COVID-19 can trigger bothupper respiratory infectionsandlower respiratory infections.
Many coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, cause respiratory infections.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
These risk factors also increase the potential for more severe complications of COVID-19.
The risk of death mainly comes from having a weakened immune system related to the use ofimmunosuppressive drug therapies.
However, getting booster vaccinations and sticking to preventative strategies may be able to help lower this risk.
Some of these comorbidities might make it harder to fight off infections like COVID-19.
Such conditions might include heart disease,diabetes, and lung diseases likechronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
These drugs shut down your immune system responses, which makes you vulnerable to infections like COVID-19.
A study published in December 2020 evaluated the effectiveness of the corticosteroid drug dexamethasone in managing COVID-19.
Researchers found a reduced 28-day mortality risk in people with COVID-19 who needed oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation.
This study led researchers to reconsider their previous position on corticosteroids for COVID-19.
They are in the best position to determine your risk for COVID-19 and how corticosteroid therapy might affect you.
Just as there is no single cause of long COVID, there is no treatment that benefits everyone.
Researchers are investigating a variety of treatment options, such as:
Can COVID Trigger Reactive Arthritis?
Some evidence suggests that COVID can cause reactive arthritis in the post-infectious stage by attacking the musculoskeletal system.
Most people have mild joint swelling, inflamed tendons, or fluid build-up in the affected areas.
Some have additional symptoms like conjunctivitis (pink eye) or mild skin conditions.
Most cases of reactive arthritis develop within a few days to four weeks after the COVID infection resolves.
It is usually temporary and resolves within a few days of onset.
Reactive arthritis is not exclusive to COVID-19.
Symptoms to Look Out For
The symptoms of COVID-19 are the same with or without RA.
Pneumonia triggered by COVID-19 often affects both lungs.
ARDS can be fatal, and people who develop it need to be on a ventilator.
If they survive ARDS and recover from COVID-19, there may be lasting lung damage and scarring.
They will explain what you should do, which will depend on the symptoms you have.
If you test positive for COVID-19, your healthcare provider will discuss and prescribetreatmentsyou will need to manage symptoms.
You should stay home and self-isolate away from others until your symptoms improve for at least 24 hours.
After that, you should continue to practice precautions for the next five days.
Watch out for dangerous complicationsof COVID-19.
Treatment
There are several different COVID-19 treatment options available.
These medications need to be started within five days of initial symptoms.
With severe symptoms, you might need to stay in the hospital.
This might includeoxygen supplementationor putting you on aventilator, a machine that breathes for you.
Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Recommended for People With RA?
People with RA are recommended to get vaccinated.
Vaccination can help reduce the risks and severity of coronavirus infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone 6 months and older receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
People with RA tend to experience severe outcomes.
However, outcomes are improving.
But if you have RA, your chances of getting infections like COVID-19 are higher.
Getting vaccinated, including booster doses, is the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19.
These simple steps help protect you and others from getting sick.
The information in this article is current as of the date listed.
As new research becomes available, well update this article.
For the latest on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
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