Michigan Reproductive Medicine’s FAQs for Covid-19

During this time of COVID-19 concerns, Michigan Reproductive Medicine’s priority is the health and welfare of our patients and our staff.

MRM monitors all CDC and other health-related agency statements and will do our best to keep up with an evolving situation. We will provide appropriate care to our patients in a calm and thoughtful manner so that everyone is as safe as possible.

To promote social distancing, we request that patients come to the office alone for routine monitoring visits, blood tests and semen analyses. If we can limit the number of people in the clinic, we may ensure patient and staff safety.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT COVID-19?

• COVID-19 is a new coronavirus with possible incubation period of up to 14 days.
• The most common symptoms are fever, dry cough, loss of smell or taste, and shortness of breath.
• The people at highest risk of developing severe disease are older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported nearly 40 percent of patients sick enough to be hospitalized were age 20 to 54. The risk of dying was significantly higher in older people age 70 and above.
• Based on recent publications by the Lancet medical journal and statements from the CDC, as of March 12, 2020:
  • Undergoing fertility treatment does not increase risk of contracting COVID-19.
  • Young, healthy women are at lower risk of developing severe disease if affected by the COVID-19 virus.
  • There is no evidence to suggest that pregnant women are at higher risk for COVID-19 infection or its complications compared to similar age non-pregnant women.
  • There is no evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted in utero from mother to child.
• These statements are based on currently available data and are subject to change. There is not enough data (published or unpublished) to make any definitive statements.

WHAT SHOULD WOMEN DESIRING TO UNDERGO FERTILITY TREATMENT DO?

COVID-19 spreads mostly through person-to-person contact within about a 6-foot (1.8 meter) radius, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People with COVID-19 spread viral particles through coughing and sneezing. The particles can land in the mouths or noses of those nearby. It might also be possible to catch COVID-19 by touching a surface where the virus has recently landed and then touching one’s mouth, nose or eyes. Ethanol, hydrogen-peroxide or bleach-based cleaners are effective at killing coronaviruses that do survive on surfaces.

We recommend our patients follow CDC guidelines at home, work, during their daily activities, and their visits to our clinic:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds–especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands, including under fingernails, and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid hand-shaking.
• Put distance (6 feet or more) between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
• Wear a mask whenever you’re outside of your home. Consider also wearing a face shield for extra protection.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces per CDC guidelines.
• If you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow.
• If you have symptoms (cough, fever, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath) or have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 infection, please stay home, call your primary care physician and inform us.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM UNDERGOING FERTILITY TREATMENT?

• If you are currently in any phase of treatment and are asymptomatic (i.e. not showing any signs of COVID-19 illness) and have not had contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, your treatment may continue as planned.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM UNDERGOING FERTILITY TREATMENT AND I DEVELOP SYMPTOMS?

• If you are currently in any phase of treatment and become symptomatic (i.e. fever, cough, shortness of breath), we can change your treatment plan. This will be done on a case by case basis. Please stay home, call your primary care provider, and alert us immediately if you notice these symptoms. This is for your benefit as well as to protect the health and safety of other patients and our staff.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM UNDERGOING FERTILITY TREATMENT AND I LEARN THAT SOMEONE I HAD CONTACT WITHIN THE PAST 14 DAYS WAS DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19 INFECTION?

• If you are currently in any phase of treatment and learn that you have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 infection, stay home, call your primary care provider, and alert us immediately. This is for your benefit as well as to protect the health and safety of other patients and our staff. We will monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan accordingly.

WHAT IF I WANT TO USE TELEMEDICINE INSTEAD OF COMING INTO THE CLINIC?

• MRM started offering telemedicine services on Monday, March 23. We will continue telemedicine to give patients a safe and convenient care option. For further information, call our front office coordinators at 248-593-6990.

SHOULD I TRAVEL IF I AM PLANNING TO OR CURRENTLY UNDERGOING FERTILITY TREATMENT?

• We recommend avoiding all non-essential travel during COVID-19 concerns.
• If you must travel, we ask you to follow CDC guidelines

 

For more information about the Coronavirus please visit: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus