Can People with Kidney Transplant Recover from Covid 19?

Ever since its arrival, Covid 19 continues to make waves in every global household. However, the way it has completely changed the lifestyles of millions is there for all of us to see. With its symptoms very much similar to common cold and influenza when it began, it has now started to take various shapes with more symptoms added. Medical experts, divided across different disciplines, are now scratching their heads and are vary about Covid 19 affecting their area of medical speciality. As such, Nephrologists researching the effects of Covid 19, on a Kidney Transplant Surgery, continues at a brisk pace.

Eminent doctors from one of the premier Kidney transplantation hospitals in Bangalore, NU Hospitals, are of the opinion that post transplantation patients could be more vulnerable to Covid 19 infection and if contacted, the recovery time is between 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the severity.

With Kidney Transplantation in Bangalore being one of the widely performed surgeries in hospitals across Bangalore, doctors from NU Hospitals continue their efforts through research to find out how the effects of Covid 19 can be minimized on people who have undergone transplantation.

One of the major reasons seen could be the usage of immunosuppressive drugs by transplant recipients. Contrary to certain findings that Covid 19 spares children, the fact of the matter is that, children too, if they have had to undergo transplantation at an early age, may not be spared by Covid 19.

With a slow recovery rate and the cost of kidney transplantation being what it is, many eminent nephrologists recommend that, those patients who are affected by Covid 19 and are due for transplantation can put their surgery on hold, until they recover completely from Covid. With a Covid test, likely to be the new norm, before being cleared for any major surgery, patients might have to get themselves tested for Covid 19.

Studies have revealed that the risk of acquiring COVID-19 from organ donation is low. Donated kidneys are thoroughly screened for COVID-19. If a kidney tests positive for COVID-19, the organ cannot be used for transplantation.

Nephrologists at the best Kidney Transplantation Hospital in Bangalore, NU Hospitals, are also of the opinion that should any patient who has undergone Kidney Transplantation, come across any Covid 19 like symptoms, they should immediately connect with their respective doctors. Basic Covid 19 safety protocols should be followed at all times like wearing masks, sanitising your hands, maintaining a perfect hygiene and social distancing, to avoid the risk of getting affected by Covid, post transplantation.