Ask the Doctor – Travel with COVID-19 concerns

Question:

I am 67 was diagnosed with CLL 7 years ago after a routine blood test now just have yearly blood test I am about to drive from John O’Groats to Land’s End with a friend in a motor home staying at various hotels pubs and campsites along the way would I be classed as high risk from coronavirus is it advisable to go.

Answer:

All CLL patients have impaired immunity and I personally would not be traveling or staying in pubs these days. Please review the advice on the top of our COVID-19 Update page for our recommendations. I know this is not what you wanted to hear as that is beautiful country that I was so lucky to be able to visit last fall. I know those are small communities where the risk may be much lower, but as I write this there are hundreds of cases in Scotland and have been a few deaths. All CLL patients must consider themselves at higher risk for serious and even life threatening disease.

Remember that we cannot give medical advice and any suggestions should be reviewed with your treating doctors.