Frequently Asked Questions Find everything you need to know about coeliac disease, the gluten free diet and the work we do.
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How can I find out if the guidance on coeliac disease and coronavirus changes?
Keep an eye on our website and the government updates too. We will do our best to keep you updated with this evolving situation.
I have coeliac disease and I think I have coronavirus.
Are people with coeliac disease at greater risk if they catch coronavirus?
As coronavirus is a new illness, there is no specific research on the risk to people with coeliac disease. The Government’s recommendation around people who ‘have problems with their spleen’ means that some people with coeliac disease are included within the high risk group. The spleen has an important role in fighting infection and around 30% of people with coeliac disease have hyposplenism. Spleen function is not routinely assessed, so not everyone will know if they have hyposplenism. As most people won’t know whether they have hyposplenism or not, our Health Advisory Council think it is reasonable that people with coeliac disease may consider themselves to be within the at risk group and to follow the associated advice.
What is the coronavirus guidance for children with coeliac disease?
Research tells us that 30% of people with coeliac disease have reduced spleen function, known as hyposplenism, which affects the body’s ability to fight infection. However there is also some limited research to suggest that children diagnosed with coeliac disease and following a gluten free diet have a lower risk of hyposplenism. This should provide some reassurance that children with coeliac disease are at less risk of severe illness associated with coronavirus than adults with coeliac disease, and may therefore not be in the high risk category. Our Health Advisory Council would support parents/guardians who choose to follow the advice for high risk groups for their children.
If there is no gluten free food available at the supermarket, will it become available on prescription?
Gluten free staple foods are available on prescription in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Gluten free bread and flour mixes are available in some areas in England so check availability here. In areas of England where access to gluten free food on prescription has been restricted, it is unlikely that local policies will be reviewed at this present time.
What has Coeliac UK been doing to support the coeliac and gluten free community during the coronavirus crisis?
We have seen a massive increase in demand for our services, with enquiries and calls for help increasing by 500%. We are working flat out to find the answers our community needs – about health risks for people with coeliac disease and to make sure that gluten free food is still accessible. This includes launching a dedicated Coronavirus Hub to help the coeliac community navigate through this crisis and make the best of the resources that we have.
Further research is required
I have been speaking with Coeliac UK and local immunologists in Scotland, hoping to carry out more research into response to immunisation and also spleen function in coeliac disease, so that we can be more certain about the risks, but that work will take a while. I think it is important that we try to answer these questions.
What can I do to stay well?
The NHS website and Government website are being updated on a regular basis and are the best place to go to for the latest information and guidance. Follow their advice to try and keep yourself safe.
As always, make sure you follow a strict gluten free diet, which is the treatment for coeliac disease.
Is coeliac disease considered an underlying health condition which increases the risk of severe illness from coronavirus?
Coeliac disease on its own is not listed by the Government as an underlying health condition. Problems with your spleen (eg hyposplenism) is listed though. Around 30% of people with coeliac disease have reduced spleen function, known as hyposplenism, which affects the body’s ability to fight infection. Because this isn’t routinely assessed, not everyone will know if they have reduced spleen function. As a precaution, our Health Advisory Council think it is reasonable that people with coeliac disease may consider themselves to be within the at risk group for coronavirus and to follow the associated advice.