Coronavirus and ED FAQs
Below we have the most frequently asked questions surrounding the Coronavirus and Ectodermal Dysplasia.
Should I have the Covid vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccine provides the best protection against coronavirus. Three vaccines for COVID-19 have currently been approved for use in the UK: the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine; the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine; and the Moderna vaccine.
For general information about the COVID-19 vaccines, please visit the NHS website
It is entirely up to you if you wish to have the vaccine or not – we cannot comment/advise anyone, it is probably a question for your doctor if you are really unsure. The one thing we aware of, which should be carefully checked before having it, is any allergies.
Find out more here – Should I have the Covid Vaccine?
Am I vulnerable to Covid due to being affected by ED?
- If you suffer with severe asthma, chronic chest infections or other respiratory problems, regard yourself as vulnerable
- Immunodeficiency disorders prevent your body from fighting infections and diseases. This type of disorder makes it easier for you to catch viruses and bacterial infections. This will place you in the vulnerable category.
- If you use eye drops regularly take special care because the virus can enter through the eyes
- If you have eczema or dry skin, it is important you must still wash with soap or use hand gels containing at least 70% alcohol which may make your hands sore – use plenty of moisturiser (there is some great guidance and information on the NES and BAD websites). Handwashing for at least 20 seconds really is the best.
- If you do contract coronavirus and have a fever, remember to take your usual precautions to avoid a very high temperature. Paracetamol is fine but ibuprofen is not advised. Please see our cooling page for advice.
From the NHS website people falling into an extremely vulnerable group include:
- Solid organ transplant recipients.
- People with specific cancers:
- people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy
- people with lung cancer who are undergoing radical radiotherapy
- people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment
- people having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
- people having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors
- people who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs
- People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD.
- People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell).
- People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection.
- Women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired.
The NHS in England is directly contacting people with these conditions to provide further advice.
The ED Society are more than happy to supply any letters explaining Ectodermal Dysplasia to your GP or any other professionals and how symptoms can cause you to be more at risk. Please get in touch info@edsociety.co.uk
Please continue to check back here for updates as well as following the official guidelines on https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus