An increased age, obesity, cancer, chronic
kidney disease and other underlying conditions can put you at severe risk.
BYALEK KORABFEBRUARY
13, 2021
Coronavirus cases
are slowing but the risk of severe complications looms, especially for “the
people who are at increased risk for severe disease,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci,
the chief medical advisor to the President and the director of the National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, this week at a meeting with American Association for the
Advancement of Science. Read on to see the underlying conditions he
presented, that may put you at risk—and to ensure your health and the health of
others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus.
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1 Older Adults are at
Increased Risk
Shutterstockne can get COVID and
anyone can get sick from COVID. But older people are at increased risk for
getting severely ill. “If one looks at the people who are at increased risk for
severe disease, clearly older adults dominate that because if you look at the
hospitalization per a hundred thousand population, the extraordinary
discrepancy of the age with elderly individuals, 75 years of age or older,
compared to younger individuals—the discrepancy in hospitalization is
profound.” Dr. Fauci shared the cumulative rates of laboratory-confirmed
COVID-19-associated hospitalizations by age and, per 100,000 population, 2,383
were 85 and up; 1,598 were 75-84; 933 were 65-74; and for comparison, 239 were
30-39.
2 Those With Cancer are at
Increased Risk
“Some cancer patients might be at increased risk of serious infection in general because
their immune systems can be weakened by cancer and its treatments,” says
the American Cancer Society. “Most people who were treated for
cancer in the past (especially if it was years ago) are likely to have normal
immune function, but each person is different. It's important that all cancer
patients and survivors, whether currently in treatment or not, talk with a
doctor who understands their situation and medical history.”
3 Those With Chronic Kidney
Disease are at Increased Risk
“People with kidney disease and other
severe chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for more severe illness,”
says the National Kidney Foundation. “People on dialysis can have
weaker immune systems, making it harder to fight infections. However, it is
important to know that kidney patients need to continue with their regularly
scheduled dialysis treatments and to take necessary precautions as recommended
by their healthcare team.”
4 Those With COPD are at
Increased Risk
“Having COPD (including emphysema and
chronic bronchitis) is known to increase your risk of severe illness from
COVID-19,” says the CDC. “Keep taking your current medicines, including those
with steroids in them (‘steroids’ is another word for corticosteroids)….Avoid
triggers that make your symptoms worse.”
5 Those With Type-2 Diabetes
are at Increased Risk
“People with diabetes are more likely
to have serious complications from COVID-19. In general, people with diabetes
are more likely to have more severe symptoms and complications when infected
with any virus, says the American Diabetes Association. “Your risk of getting very sick
from COVID-19 is likely to be lower if your diabetes is well-managed. Having
heart disease or other complications in addition to diabetes could worsen the
chance of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, like other viral infections,
because more than one condition makes it harder for your body to fight the
infection.”
6 Those With Down Syndrome
are at Increased Risk
“Among groups at higher risk of dying
from COVID-19, such as people with diabetes, people with Down Syndrome stand
out: If infected, they are five times more likely to be hospitalized and 10
times more likely to die than the general population, according to a large U.K.
study published in October,” reports Science Magazine. “Other recent studies back up the high
risk.”
7 Those With Heart Conditions are at Increased
Risk
·
E.g. heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies
“The heart and lung work together in the
body to maintain oxygenation. When the lung is affected by a respiratory
illness like novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the heart may also be affected. The
heart must work hard to pump blood, which may be even more difficult for
someone with heart disease,” says the University of Maryland Medical System. “Some heart
patients may have a higher risk of contracting the disease, and some may be more
prone to complications if they get it. In addition, the virus can cause heart
muscle or vessel damage, resulting in severe problems.”
8 Those in an
Immunocompromised State From a Solid Organ Transplant are at Increased Risk
“Post-transplant or other high-risk
patients may be at higher risk for severe disease from COVID-19. For severe
cases, recovery may take 6 weeks or more,” says the National Kidney Foundation. “Because transplant recipients
take immunosuppressive drugs, they have a higher risk of infection from viruses
such as cold or flu. To lower the chance of getting the coronavirus that causes
COVID-19, transplant patients should follow the CDC’s guidance on how to avoid
catching or spreading germs, and contact their health care professional if they
develop symptoms of COVID-19.”
9 Those Who Are Obese are at
Increased Risk
Dr. Fauci defines obesity as having a
BMI greater than or equal to 30. He says “those clearly stand out as
important…particularly morbid obesity with a BMI of greater than 30.”
10 Those Who are Pregnant are
at Increased Risk
“Based on what we know at this time,
pregnant people are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and
death, compared to non-pregnant people. Additionally, pregnant people with
COVID-19 might be at increased risk for other adverse outcomes, such as preterm
birth (delivering the baby earlier than 37 weeks),” says the CDC.
11 Those With Sickle Cell
Disease are at Increased Risk
According to the CDC, one study found “people with sickle cell disease who
developed coronavirus disease have high rates of hospitalization, intensive
care unit admission, and death,” adding: “It is especially important for people
with medical conditions, such as SCD, that put them at increased risk of severe
illness from COVID-19, and those who live with them, to protect themselves from
getting COVID-19.”
12 Those Who Smoke are at
Increased Risk
Smoke is bad for you at the best of
times. Now: “Cumulative exposure to cigarette smoke was associated with more
severe outcomes among individuals testing positive for COVID-19, including
higher risks of hospitalization and death, researchers found,” according
to MedPage Today.
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13 These Medical Conditions
“May Confer Increased Risk” Says Dr. Fauci
If you have any of the following, be
extra careful. There may be a link to these conditions and severe COVID.
·
Asthma (moderate to severe)
·
Cardiovascular Disease
·
Cystic Fibrosis
·
Type-1 Diabetes
·
Hypertension
·
Immunocompromised state from blood marrow transplant, immune
deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids or other immune-weakening medicines
·
Neurologic conditions (i.e. dementia)
·
Liver Disease
·
Overweight (BMI greater than 25 but less than 30)
·
Pulmonary Fibrosis
·
Thalassemia
14 What to Do If You are at
Risk for Severe COVID
Follow Fauci's fundamentals and help
end this pandemic—use extra care if you are at severe risk, wear a face mask,
social distance, avoid large crowds, don't go indoors with people you're not
sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, get
vaccinated when it becomes available to you, and to protect your life and the
lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're
Most Likely to Catch COVID.
https://www.eatthis.com/news-fauci-covid-risk-factors/
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