COVID-19, just like any other pandemic that the world encountered back then, continues to claim lives across the globe. According to Johns Hopkins University, there has been over 301,000 recorded deaths worldwide due to the disease as of 15 May 2020.

Reports show that immunocompromised individuals are theoretically more susceptible to develop severe illness from COVID-19.

So what does it mean once a person is immunocompromised? Why do they need to take extra layers of precautionary measures in these trying times? How can we keep them well despite the threats that this pandemic brings?

Let’s start by knowing the basics.

Immunocompromised or immune deficient individuals are those people whose immune system has a reduced ability to restrain and recover from infections. A person can become immunocompromised due to factors such as having a specific chronic conditions like cancer, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, hepatitis, autoimmune diseases, and congenital disorders, or by taking certain medications (e.g. chemotherapy and post-organ transplant medications), which affect the immune system. This could also be due to reasons such as aging, malnutrition, extensive burns, tobacco smoking, alcoholism, stress and pregnancy. With weakened immunity, these individuals are more likely to get sick and in longer duration, and are more vulnerable to different types of infections.

In this period of pandemic, keeping immunocompromised individuals healthy would mean a challenge for caregivers and nutritionist-dietitians, given the limited financial resources, mobility, access, and availability of foods, which COVID-19 also brings. In the concept of nutrition, nutrient density and food safety are of equal importance for people who are immunocompromised. As their body has lower immunity against infections, the goal is to give them variety of foods to choose from, for them to be able to eat the right kind and amount of food that will provide them with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, while considering food safety. Proper food handling must be observed to avoid foodborne illnesses.

Below are the general food safety guidelines to consider in selecting, preparing and handling foods for immunocompromised individuals:

• Wash hands frequently using warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds when handling food.
• Using sponges to clean dishes and utensils is also discouraged as microorganisms can grow on sponges, which may contaminate food and dishes. Using of separate chopping boards, knives, plates and utensils for raw and cooked food is also advised to avoid cross-contamination.
• Fruits and vegetables should be washed properly under running water prior peeling and cutting.
• Cook foods to proper temperature and make sure hot food stays hot, and cold foods stays cold prior serving.
• Refrigerate unconsumed foods immediately. Eat refrigerated foods within 3-5 days from the day of refrigeration. When in doubt of food’s quality, do not consume and discard it right away.
• Be mindful in buying packed and processed foods. Check for labels, expiration date, ingredients, nutrient content, and others. For canned foods, check for dents, bulging, holes or any deformities. When in doubt, never consume the product and throw it out.
• Do not consume moldy and soft cheese products and unpasteurized dairy products.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked meats and processed meats, seafood, eggs and tofu.
• Avoid eating unwashed fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs, fruits with rough texture such as raspberries and strawberries, unpasteurized fruit and vegetable juices, uncooked, raw nuts and roasted nuts in the shell, raw or non-pasteurized honey, juices or beers, and all vegetable sprouts.
• Avoid drinking directly water from spring, well, river and other natural water sources. Boil it for one minute prior drinking or better yet drink distilled or purified bottled water. Also, avoid drinking water from sink or from public fountain and do not share drinks with other people.

Keeping these people well cannot be done solely by proper nutrition and food safety. On top of these, immunocompromised persons should also follow strict compliance to the health standards to avoid exposure to COVID-19 or other infectious diseases. They should observe proper sanitation and hygiene by washing their hands with water and soap or by using alcohol or sanitizer containing above 60% alcohol. Social distancing should be done at all times too. They must stay at home as much as possible and avoid being in crowded places. Thus, non-immunocompromised fellows in the household should do buying of groceries and medicines. It is also advised that they avoid being in contact to sick or previously sick individuals. Touching of mouth, eyes and nose must also be prohibited. One must also avoid touching frequently touched surfaces like ATMs, keyboards or screens, railings, among others.  House should be disinfected often especially the doorknobs, faucet handles, and cellphones. Lastly, these people should maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating well, getting enough sleep and managing stress levels, to keep their immune system as strong as it can be.

It is best to seek advice from medical professionals about what can be done and avoided by an immunocompromised person specifically in this pandemic times. If feeling unwell or having cough, fever, diarrhea, or difficulty of breathing, contact your doctor right away to avoid complications and worse, death. (PNC Stephanie C. Barrio)