Due to the international outbreak of COVID-19 Coronavirus disease and with the aim of protecting your health, we at Eugin have prepared this guide with relevant information in the face of possible doubts from our patients.
All measures have been taken in accordance with the recommendations set out in the announcements issued by official bodies:
1. Does COVID-19 affect the assisted reproduction treatment I am undergoing?
All our health centres are closely monitoring the developments and recommendations issued by the local, national and international health authorities on a daily basis.
2. What should I do if I had started treatment or was planning to start treatment soon?
If you have already started your assisted reproduction treatment or were planning to do so in the next few days, please contact our patient care team. They will inform you about the next steps to be taken, according to the circumstances at any given time.
However, if you were planning to come for a first visit in the next few days, we will offer you the possibility of doing it by video conference.
3. What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are a fever, tiredness, and a dry cough. Some patients may also experience aches, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhoea. One in six develop breathing difficulties and there are even some who are asymptomatic.
4. How does COVID-19 affect pregnant women?
While there is little data available on pregnant women affected by COVID-19, it has not yet been scientifically proven that pregnant women are more susceptible to infection. In Spain, for the time being there are no cases either among pregnant women or among babies (although there are cases among children).
The Lancet (an international medical journal) has launched a series of recommendations for women who have been in areas affected or in contact with people affected by COVID-19. If you suspect that you may be infected, you should follow the usual protocol of reporting to the relevant health authorities.
The Federation of Associations of Midwives in Spain is also working with the Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare on a protocol for action regarding pregnancy and coronavirus, but beyond the recommendations for the general population there is still no specific guidance for this group.
5. Can COVID-19 affect the baby?
It is not known whether or not newborns infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at increased risk for severe complications. The possibility of transmission from the infected mother to the newborn from maternal secretions makes it advisable to temporarily separate the newborn from the mother for as long as the mother is considered potentially contagious.
6. What should I do if I have recently travelled to the affected area?
If you have recently travelled to or had contact with people who come from risk areas, and do not present any symptoms, you can lead a normal life. It will be necessary to monitor, during the following 14 days, symptoms such as temperature higher than 37.7ºC, general malaise, cough or breathing difficulty.
In the event of having travelled and showing symptoms, it is essential to contact the health services by calling 061 (Barcelona); 900 102 112 (Madrid). If you are also a patient and have an appointment scheduled at our clinic in the next few days, please let us know so that we can reschedule a new visit after 15 days.
However, the current recommendation for pregnant women is not to travel to areas where there is community-level transmission of the virus.
7. What are the recommendations established by the health authorities?
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based solutions.
- Avoid direct contact with infected persons or their close circle.
- Avoid close contact with people who have acute respiratory infections, and who have a cough and are sneezing.
- If you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with single-use tissues or the inside of your elbow and wash your hands immediately.
- Avoid sharing personal items (tissues, cutlery, etc.) without cleaning them properly.
8. Where can I find updated information about Covid-19?
The World Health Organization (WHO) provides updated information about the number of cases and deaths through its website:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports
In Spain, data is updated daily by the Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs and Social Welfare:
Full publication of The Lancet:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(20)30157-2/fulltext#back-bib1
