NICE UK NICE has released new coronavirus COVID-19 management guidelines for patients with cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and skin patients who need drugs that affect the immune system

COVID-19 Quick Guide:for Patients with Cystic FibrosisGuidelines on Cystic Fibrosis clearly state that patients should be supported to continue all routine self-carePatients can still be treated with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductive regulator (CFTR)the guidelines highlight how governments should screen and protect patients with highly susceptible COVID-19 cystic fibrosis, and suggest several care options to minimize face-to-face contact and visitsCOVID-19 Quick Guide:guidelines for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease recommend that patients continue to take regular inhalation and oral medications, including corticosteroids, in accordance with their individual self-management plans to ensure the stability of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseasePatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who are still smoking are also strongly advised to stop smoking to reduce the risk of adverse prognosis and acute exacerbation of COVID-19If symptoms of COVID-19 occur, the guidelines recommend that patients should not suddenly start taking oral corticosteroids and/or antibiotics, nor should they start using antibiotics in an unconventional mannerremind patients using noninvasive ventilation at home that these devices are a potential source of infection and that appropriate precautions should be taken, such as using the device in a well-ventilated room and, where possible, away from other family membersCOVID-19 Quick Guide:guidelines for patients with skin diseases who need to use drugs that affect the immune system recommend that local treatments (drugs applied to the skin) should continue for people with known or suspected coVID-19 infections, rather than systemic treatments affecting the entire immune systemwhen deciding to use medications that affect the immune system, the guidelines recommend considering factors such as whether the drug must be started or continued immediately, whether the dose can be adjusted, and how to give it to reduce the likelihood of hospital visits or hospitalizationsguidelines also recommend that these patients should not suddenly stop taking oral glucocorticoidsThey can also continue to take hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, morphine, ampicillin and lysine sulfonquinone, but may consider suspending all other oral immunosuppressive therapy, new small molecule immunosuppressants, biotherapy and monoclonal antibodies