The thermometer reads 99.9, which is higher than a normal temp, but just under that 100.4 threshold to be considered a low-grade fever. You try to remain calm, knowing that a fever is one of the symptoms for the novel coronavirus—also known as COVID-19.

You try again, sticking the thermometer back under your tongue as your TV plays quietly in the background, updating confirmed case counts of coronavirus. Peeling your eyes away to peer down at the tiny digits ticking up on your thermometer, you realize you have a fever.

Alternating between “everything will be fine” and “worst case scenario,” you call your doctor because, as a transplant recipient who takes immunosuppressant medications, a cancer patient in the middle of treatment, or a person living with a condition that compromises your immune system, you know your risk of developing severe symptoms from COVID-19 is higher than the average person.

If you fall into this vulnerable population, you need to call your doctor at the first sign of symptoms, says Lewis Teperman, MD, director of organ transplantation at Northwell Health and vice chair of surgery at North Shore University Hospital.

When it comes to vulnerable patients during the current COVID-19 pandemic, Teperman says healthcare professionals are taking a very cautious approach and encouraging the immunocompromised to do the same. Here are some tips to stay ahead of (and off) the curve on COVID-19:

Minimize contact with others

The most effective preventive measure is to avoid exposure. Stay home as much as possible. If you have to go out, avoid mass transit and large gatherings by practicing strict social distancing. Maintain 6 feet between yourself and others when outside of the home. Family may want to get together, but this may not be the best time for that. Remember that you are at particular risk and asymptomatic carriers may be able to transmit the virus.

Get supplies delivered. There are many services that deliver groceries and even medications. Have them leave it on the doorstep and you’ve successfully avoided a potential exposure. For meds, try to have 90 days on hand to reduce the need to go out. Wash your hands after you touch the packages.

These are unique times and our routines have to change. Stay connected to loved ones by using FaceTime, texting, and even an old-fashioned phone call.

Practice good hygiene

To minimize the possibility of contracting the virus, wash your hands regularly with soap and hot water for 20 seconds—remember, avoid recontamination by using a paper towel to turn off the water and open doors. In addition, clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Also, make sure to cough or sneeze into your flexed elbow and immediately discard tissues after use.

Use telehealth

A major step in curbing this pandemic is going to be increased use of telehealth and phone consultations for non-urgent visits to help reduce people’s exposure to COVID-19. “I think we’re going to use this a lot to assess patients,” says Teperman, who is using telemedicine for urgent and non-urgent appointments. “I think that, as we adapt to this current situation, we’re going to find efficiencies and actually improve the care we provide to our patients.”

If you have COVID-19

Just like the general population, if you think you have COVID-19, call your doctor. They will evaluate your symptoms and create a plan. Testing for COVID-19 may be warranted, but does not mean you should go straight to an emergency department. Your doctor will tell you exactly where to go for testing.

If you test positive, symptoms can progress to pneumonia and other complications. To help your immune system fight off this virus, your immunosuppressive medications may need to be altered. “The drugs that we use to prevent transplant patients from having rejection will be minimized,” Teperman says. “And this is going to be true of patients being treated for cancer and other autoimmune and rheumatologic diseases.” Monitoring is very important and you should talk to your doctor about any changes to your medication.

There is no specific treatment for COVID-19, but experimental trials are in progress. For now, many symptoms can be treated based on your clinical condition.

Be hopeful

Testing capability in the U.S. is improving. Teperman, who is co-chair of the Strikeforce Response to COVID-19 for the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS), says experts in the U.S. are “speaking with colleagues in countries like Italy and South Korea and England to identify best practices.”

“This will peak and then it will fall off,” says Teperman. “What we need to do as a society is make sure that it doesn't all peak at once, which is why these preventative measures are so important.”