COVID-19 & dialysis: the basics

What is the coronavirus?

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is a virus that was identified in early 2020 as the cause of the disease COVID-19. Very generally, viruses are pathogens that can infect humans, plants, and fungi. These sneak in by different routes and then cause the affected body cells (called 'host cells') to produce more viruses for themselves as a 'virus factory'. While diseases caused by bacteria can be treated with antibiotics, they do not help with viral diseases. The group of 'coronaviruses' is responsible for many different diseases and science has known about them for a long time. Before 2020, coronaviruses were best known for the first SARS epidemic in 2002-2004, and this particular coronavirus was called SARS-CoV-1 at the time. Not all coronaviruses are always so dangerous -- some can just be responsible for an everyday cold.

In full, the disease is called SARS-CoV-2 (English for 'Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Type 2) and is transmitted from person to person. In the process, the disease can trigger different reactions. While some may not even feel it or just have a common cold, COVID-19 can also cause severe acute respiratory syndrome.

How is the coronavirus transmitted?

Coronavirus can be transmitted from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth. It can happen, for example, when a person infected with the virus coughs, sneezes, or talks. This type of infection is also called droplet infection. The droplets are relatively heavy and therefore do not travel very far. This is why it is so important to stay at least 1.5 meters away from a person. Liquid particles that are smaller than droplets can also transmit the virus. These are also called aerosols and can stay in the air for long periods of time. This is especially a problem in closed rooms.

A person infected with the coronavirus can infect others around them just by breathing and talking. Shouting, singing, coughing and sneezing naturally release a particularly large number of liquid particles.

Droplets can also land on objects and surfaces. This means that a person can also become infected by first reaching onto a table or door handle and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

Poor ventilation and closed rooms naturally mean that the air is 'stagnant'. This increases the likelihood of transmission. This means that you should ensure good ventilation in rooms. Outdoor transmission is rare, as air movement is higher and people also often naturally maintain a higher minimum distance.

How do I recognize a COVID-19 disease?

When a person becomes infected with SARS-CoV-2, symptoms begin no later than two weeks after infection. Often, however, the spread of the virus is already noticeable after a few days. Therefore, you should also be aware that apparently healthy people carry the virus and can infect other people.

The most common signs of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Other signs include muscle aches, headaches, fatigue, sore throat, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, or a diminished sense of taste and/or smell.

Risk of disease as a dialysis patient

Studies on COVID-19 suggest that as a person living with renal failure, you are no more likely to become infected than others. However, because of your regular dialysis treatments, you will come into contact with other people who do not live in your own household. This may give you more opportunities to get the virus from others.

Since the spread of the coronavirus, some countries have defined so-called at-risk groups. As a dialysis patient, you belong to the at-risk group in many countries (e.g. Germany) and you should of course take this seriously. Medical observations show that the disease is more severe in dialysis patients than in the rest of the population. Many countries have their own rules for high-risk groups of the population, which you should familiarize yourself with.