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Southwest Fertility Center COVID-19 Health Alert

Last updated 3/18/20

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Here at SWFC we take the health of our patients and caregivers very seriously and continue to actively monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. This situation is changing continuously and therefore our policies and recommendation may change as new developments come to light.

We know you have questions and concerns about the virus and its impact not only on your welfare, but also your fertility journey.

COVID-19: Managing fertility patient and those currently pregnant or desiring pregnancy

Currently, very little is known about the impact of COVID-19 on reproduction and pregnancy. We are early in the course of the disease and therefore our knowledge and recommendations may change with time.  At this point there does not seem to be negative effects of COVID-19 on male and female fertility as well as on fetal development in pregnancy.  COVID-19 is unrelated to the ZIKA virus, as such reports of women who have tested positive for COVID-19 have delivered healthy babies free of disease. To date there are no reported cases of vertical transmission i.e. a pregnant mother infect with COVID-19 has not passed it to the fetus in utero. In addition, there is no increased risk of fetal loss or congenital anomalies associated with infection early in pregnancy.  Although, this data is reassuring, it should be interpreted with caution given the small numbers.

Due to the rapidly increasing incidence of COVID-19 and unknown risk of COVID-19 in pregnancy the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) issued a statement on March 17, 2020 that no new treatment cycles should be initiated at this time.  For patients, in a current treatment cycle the discretion to continue the treatment cycle is up to the fertility center and patient. This statement is largely based on the public health concern of COVID-19 rather than the potential risks of infection on pregnancy. We also understand the time sensitive aspect of pregnancy for all couples and will continue to monitor the situation closely.

We at Southwest Fertility Center, will continue to follow this development closely to ensure the utmost health of our patients and community.

 

  1. Am I at risk for coronavirus?

Your safety is our top priority. We follow the CDC protocol. The majority of the risk for the virus is still linked to travel to an infected area however this will undoubtedly change as the disease spreads in the United States.

  1. I have a regularly scheduled appointment with my doctor. Should I come?

If you have a scheduled appointment and are having fever, cough and/or symptoms of a respiratory infection, we ask that you don’t come to the office and reschedule your appointment. This is to ensure the safety of not only yourself, but also our staff and other patients.

As per the CDC Level 3 Health Advisory:

If you or any of your immediate family members have traveled to level 3 areas of the COVID-19 infection we recommend self-isolation and quarantine for 2 weeks. These areas include China, Iran, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Italy and anywhere in Europe. In the US current high volume states are California, New York, and Washington State.

Please contact SWFC and we will be happy to reschedule your appointment.

  1. What is SWFC doing to keep patients safe?

SWFC has implemented a coronavirus protocol to keep our patients and staff safe and healthy while making sure that our patients stay on track to reach their treatment goals. If any patients are experiencing symptoms, we are rescheduling their appointments or if the appointment is a consult, we are offering teleconference appointments as an alternative.

We have instituted the following policies: Hand-Washing, Non-Contact Greeting, and Symptoms & Travel Check.

  • Hand-Washing Policy – All patients must wash their hands after checking in and before treatment
  • Non-Contact Greeting – All patients are encouraged to choose alternate ways to greet and engage SWFC staff members. Our staff is leading by example.
  • Every patient is queried 1. Whether they are experiencing any fever or covid-19 symptoms and 2. Whether they or any family members have traveled outside the U.S. over the past two weeks. They are asked this at scheduling, appointment confirmation and at check-in. If found to be
  • In addition, our waiting room is being wiped down regularly and every exam room is thoroughly wiped down after every examination.
  • Travel Check: We ask, as per the CDC Non-Essential Travel Guidelines, to limit all non-essential travel especially to areas designated as a travel risk. You can see the list of travel advisory notices on the CDC’s website. 
  1. What is the coronavirus and COVID-19?

Coronaviruses were first identified in the 1950s and generally cause a mild upper respiratory illness characterized by cough, fever, and/or body aches. This is very similar to most viral illnesses including flu and the common cold and therefore difficult to distinguish.

The current situation involves a new, or “novel,” coronavirus and the illness it causes is called COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).

  1. What are the symptoms caused by coronavirus?

The most common symptoms are fever, signs of lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) and body aches. If exposed to COVID, you are likely to see symptoms in about 2-9 days, median of 5 days.

Note because these symptoms are very non-specific, it can present very similar to other illnesses like influenza or the common cold.  As testing is limited, we ask that patients experiencing these symptoms speak to the provider/staff prior to coming for their appointment as they will need to reschedule. Most people who get coronavirus only experience mild viral symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath and will experience a complete recovery. However, 15% of cases, especially older/immunosuppressed individuals, may get severely ill requiring hospitalization. Although less common, there have been reports of healthy young individuals getting severe illness.

  1. What should I do to avoid infection?

Please stay aware and take proper precautions. Follow restrictions stated by the CDC, health department and your employer. It is believed the coronavirus spreads via respiratory droplets such as from a cough or sneeze, so you should be using the same prevention methods as you would to avoid a cold or the flu. As well social distancing and minimizing exposure to large crowds of people is currently recommend on a national and state level.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick and large crowds/gatherings.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Stay home from school or work when you are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  1. Can the coronavirus be treated?

Since it is a virus, the coronavirus cannot be treated with antibiotics. Mild infections are treated in the same way as the common cold or flu with medications to relieve the symptoms of cough, congestion, and fever. As it is a new virus no vaccine or specific antiviral therapy exists at this time.

  1. What should I do if I am experiencing symptoms?

If you are in respiratory distress, call 911.

If you have mild symptoms like fever, cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms of respiratory infection please follow CDC guidelines for at-home care, contact your primary care provider and/or the Arizona health department.   Self-care in isolation is the best recourse for containing the virus.

  1. Where can I get more information?
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Website: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/
2019-ncov/index.html

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