Brief Summary

Recruitment has actively begun for eligible subjects who have received IVIg before, during or after exposure or infection with SARS-CoV-2, the cause of the COVID-19 illness to study their   lived experiences.

Rationale 

IVIg has demonstrated therapeutic benefits in a wide range of post-infectious and autoimmune disorders and in the maintenance of immune competence. Recent guidelines support its use during the COVID-19 pandemic[1].  

Study Design

This study will document the lived experiences of subjects infected by SARS-CoV-2 and also received IVIg. Semi-structured one-hour long interviews will attempt to document their lived experiences with IVIg therapy and COVID-19. The sample size seeks to achieve data saturation while allowing for depth of case-oriented analysis of patient experiences. Thematic analysis will be conducted on the collected data and dominant themes will be drawn out through systematic sorting of the material, labeling of ideas and phenomena as they appear and reappear. The trends that emerge will be critically analyzed to inform quality of care and guidelines for the use of IVIg therapy in the treatment of COVID-19.

Eligibility Criteria

Subjects treated with IVIg before, during or after a documented COVID-19 exposure or illness of age 18 to 65 years who can provide informed consent will be eligible participants. 

Exclusion Criteria

Excluded subjects will include those who lack fluency in English, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are < 18 years or >65 years of age.

Interested individuals who meet the above criteria should Dr. David S Younger at 212-213-3778 for additional information.  This study has been exempted as not research by the IRB.