MedPage Today reports that rheumatologists are among those on the COVID-19 front line as their experience with rheumatic drugs may help severe cases of the virus.

Mary K. Crow, MD, chief of Rheumatology at HSS, explains that patients with rheumatic and autoimmune diseases are at increased risk of developing severe manifestations of COVID-19.

"There aren't a lot of data yet, but we are extrapolating that assumption from what we understand both about the rheumatic and immune-mediated diseases as well as the effect of immunosuppressive medications," says Dr. Crow.

Dr. Crow emphasizes the importance of patients with rheumatic disease to follow general CDC advice on social distancing, handwashing and working from home.

Read the full article at MedPageToday.com.