Immunocompromised Patients in Disaster Zone Require Special Attention

Patients with immunodeficiency are highly susceptible to infections, which is why the provision of appropriate housing and hygienic environments is far more critical for this patient group than for others. Prof. Dr. Elif Karakoç Aydıner, a member of the Turkey National Allergy and Clinical Immunology Association, has issued warnings on the subject, noting that if such conditions cannot be provided, patients must be referred to appropriate health facilities. Patients with immunodeficiency are a special group whose treatment must continue uninterrupted. This is because their heightened susceptibility to infections compared to other individuals requires them to adhere to sanitation and hygiene recommendations at the highest possible level. For this reason, earthquake zone patients require additional measures to create appropriate hygienic environments. Prof. Dr. Elif Karakoç Aydıner, a member of the Turkey National Allergy and Clinical Immunology Association, emphasized this point and stated, "Physicians at centres and patient platforms must maintain continuous communication with immunodeficiency patients who are susceptible to infection." [caption id="attachment_149743" align="aligncenter"] Prof. Dr. Elif Karakoç Aydıner[/caption]

"Access to clean drinking water, appropriate housing, waste management, and additional isolation measures must be implemented"

Noting that infections may temporarily increase following earthquakes due to inadequate living conditions, Karakoç stated: "Since immunodeficiency patients are far more susceptible to infections than other individuals, sanitation and hygiene recommendations must be followed at the highest possible level. Measures aimed at reducing infection risk—including access to clean drinking water, appropriate housing, waste management, and additional isolation measures—are of vital importance. In addition to these, attention to mask use and hand hygiene in all settings plays a preventive role in avoiding illness." "While it is natural that our patients' treatment and follow-up may be disrupted in the first days following the earthquake, it is vital that they resume their medications and physician check-ups as soon as possible," Karakoç said, continuing as follows: "They should notify local health facilities or field hospitals if available, or mobile health teams if this is not possible, and request their medications. Access to immunoglobulin preparations, which many patients with primary immunodeficiency use and which are crucial for protection against infections, is essential. Since these products have special prescription, storage and administration requirements, if these cannot be provided, patients should be referred to appropriate centres to ensure treatment continuity. Report periods have been extended in the current situation, and prescription requirements have been waived."

"They should be referred to appropriate centres"

"During this period, patients can maintain contact with physicians at their regular centres and patient platforms for medical and social support. Earthquake-affected patients should apply to their provincial/district/hospital social services unit, either in person or through their physicians, to receive support at the city and/or hospital to which they have been referred, including support for all family members according to their needs."