Coronavirus and IBS
16th March 2020

We have been closely monitoring the situation regarding the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK.

As the national charity supporting people living with IBS, our priority is to continue to support our members and wider IBS community throughout this worrying time. We are here for you. 

Coronavirus and IBS advice

The advice for people with IBS is the same as the general advice from Public Health England and the World Health Organisation.

The most important steps that you can personally take to protect yourself and prevent the spread of COVID-19 are:

• wash your hands regularly and for at least 20-seconds;
• cough and sneeze into a tissue and dispose of it immediately; and
• avoid touching your face.

For some people with IBS, stress and anxiety and/or a change in eating habits or behaviour may trigger their IBS symptoms. Be aware of this. Avoid panic buying, and, where possible, try to keep to your usual diet and routine. 

Call our IBS Helpline

For advice about your IBS, members of our charity can call our IBS Helpline, which is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings 7pm until 9pm. 

Contact an IBS specialist

Members also have access to our team of medical professionals including gastroenterologists, dietitians and complementary therapists through the Ask the Experts online service. 

IBS supplies

For all your IBS emergency supplies visit our online shop. We stock a variety of products to help you manage your IBS including cleansing and intimate wipes, toilet bowl sprays and coin towels.

However, like everyone else, we are having problems in receiving supplies of our regular items, such as cleansing wipes. We will do all we can to keep our online shop stocked, but may have to remove some lines as stocks run low.

All postage is included. Shop online here.

We will continue to monitor developments and advice very closely.

The symptoms of covid-19 infection include: a cough, difficulty in breathing or fever. If you are worried about your symptoms, please call NHS 111. Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment.

If you are concerned about your IBS, please visit our website for more information about how we can help and support you.