Who is at risk for coronavirus?

COVID-19 is a new disease and there is limited information regarding risk factors for severe disease. Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Based on what we know now, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are:

• People 65 years and older
• People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
• People of all ages with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, including:
• People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
• People who have serious heart conditions
• People who are immunocompromised
• Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications
• People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
• People with diabetes
• People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
• People with liver disease

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms can vary widely. Some people have no symptoms at all, while others become so sick that they eventually need mechanical assistance to breathe.

The risk of developing dangerous symptoms of COVID-19 may be increased in people who are older and also in people of any age who have other serious health problems — such as heart or lung conditions, weakened immune systems, severe obesity, or diabetes. This is similar to what is seen with other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza.

Older age

People of any age, even children, can catch COVID-19. But it most commonly affects middle-aged and older adults. The risk of developing dangerous symptoms is higher in people age 65 and older. The highest rate of mortality from the disease is in people age 80 and older. Risks are even higher for older people when they have underlying health conditions.

Take all your medications as prescribed. Consider developing a care plan that includes information about your medical conditions, medications, doctors’ names and emergency contacts.

Nursing home residents are at high risk because they often have multiple underlying health problems, combined with advanced age. And germs can spread very easily between people who live in close proximity to each other. If you live in a nursing home, follow the guidelines to prevent infection. Ask about protection measures for residents and visitor restrictions. Let staff know if you feel ill.

Lung problems, including asthma

COVID-19 targets the lungs, so you’re more likely to develop severe symptoms if you have preexisting lung problems, such as:

• Moderate to severe asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Lung cancer
• Cystic fibrosis
• Pulmonary fibrosis

While some medications for these conditions can weaken your immune system, it’s important to stay on your maintenance medications to keep symptoms as controlled as possible. You may want to talk to your doctor about obtaining an emergency supply of prescription medications, such as asthma inhalers.

It may also help to avoid the things that make your asthma worse. These asthma triggers can vary from person to person. Examples include pollen, dust mites, tobacco smoke and cold air. Strong emotions and stress can trigger asthma attacks in some people. Others are bothered by strong odors, so make sure the disinfectant you’re using isn’t an asthma trigger for you.

In addition to being an asthma trigger, smoking or vaping can harm your lungs and inhibit your immune system, which increases the risk of serious complications with COVID-19.

Heart disease, diabetes and obesity

People with diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or severe obesity are more likely to experience dangerous symptoms if infected with COVID-19. This may be of particular concern in the United States, which has seen increasing rates of obesity and diabetes over the years.

Obesity and diabetes both reduce the efficiency of a person’s immune system. Diabetes increases the risk of infections in general. This risk can be reduced by keeping blood sugar levels controlled and continuing your diabetes medications and insulin.

Your risk of serious illness may also be higher if you have heart diseases such as cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension, congenital heart disease, heart failure or coronary artery disease. Continue to take your medications exactly as prescribed. If you have high blood pressure, keep it controlled and take your medications as directed.

A healthy immune system fights the germs that cause disease. But many conditions can weaken your immune system, including:

• Cancer treatments
• Smoking
• Bone marrow or organ transplants
• HIV/AIDS
• Prolonged use of prednisone or similar drugs

If you have a weakened immune system, you may need to take extra precautions to avoid the virus that causes COVID-19. Routine doctor appointments may be delayed or happen via phone or video conference. You may want to have your medications mailed to you, so you don’t have to go to the pharmacy.

Chronic kidney or liver disease

If you have chronic liver disease or chronic kidney disease, you may be at higher risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.

If you’re on dialysis for chronic kidney disease, go to every dialysis appointment. Let your doctor know if you feel ill. You may have a weakened immune system if you have chronic kidney disease and are having dialysis.

If you have chronic liver disease, your risk of being seriously ill with COVID-19 may be higher because you may have a weakened immune system. Also, having serious COVID-19 symptoms and taking medications to treat the disease may have negative effects on the liver.

Protect yourself; prevent unnecessary risk

Although there is no vaccine available to prevent infection with the new coronavirus, you can take steps to reduce your risk of infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend following these precautions for avoiding COVID-19:

Avoid large events and mass gatherings.

Avoid close contact (within 6 feet, or about 2 meters) with others. Avoid anyone who is sick.

Stay home when possible and keep distance between yourself and others if COVID-19 is spreading in your community, especially if you have a higher risk of serious illness.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Cover your face with a cloth face mask in public spaces, such as the grocery store, where it’s difficult to avoid close contact with others, especially if you’re in an area with ongoing community spread.

Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the used tissue. Wash your hands right away.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, towels, bedding and other household items if you’re sick.

Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, electronics and counters, daily.

Stay home from work, school and public areas if you’re sick, unless you’re going to get medical care. Avoid taking public transportation, taxis and ride-sharing if you’re sick.

In addition to these everyday precautions, if you are at higher risk of infection or of developing serious COVID-19 symptoms, you might also want to:

Make sure you have at least a 14-day supply of your regular prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Check to see if your vaccinations are up to date, particularly for influenza and pneumonia. These vaccines won’t prevent COVID-19, but becoming ill with influenza or pneumonia may worsen your outcome if you also catch COVID-19.

Establish an alternate way of communicating with your doctor if you have to stay at home for a few weeks. Some doctors are doing appointments via phone or video conference.

Arrange for delivery orders of restaurant meals, groceries or medications so you don’t have to leave your home.

Call your doctor if you have questions about your medical conditions and COVID-19 or if you’re ill. If you need emergency care, call your local emergency number or go to your local emergency department.

Call your doctor if you have questions about non-critical medical appointments. He or she will advise you whether a virtual visit, in-person visit, delaying the appointment or other options are appropriate.

• Continue your medications and do not change your treatment plan without talking to your doctor.
• Have at least a 2-week supply of prescription and non-prescription medications. Talk to your healthcare provider, insurer, and pharmacist about getting an extra supply (i.e., more than two weeks) of prescription medications, if possible, to reduce trips to the pharmacy.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about whether your vaccinations are up-to-date. People older than 65 years, and those with many underlying conditions, such as those who are immunocompromised or with significant liver disease, are recommended to receive vaccinations against influenza and pneumococcal disease.
• Do not delay getting emergency care for your underlying condition because of COVID-19. Emergency departments have contingency infection prevention plans to protect you from getting COVID-19 if you need care for your underlying condition.
• Call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your underlying medical conditions or if you get sick and think that you may have COVID-19.

Asthma

• Follow your Asthma Action Plan.
• Keep your asthma under control.
• Continue your current medications, including any inhalers with steroids in them (“steroids” is another word for corticosteroids).
• Know how to use your inhaler.
• Avoid your asthma triggers.
• If possible, have another member of your household who doesn’t have asthma clean and disinfect your house for you. When they use cleaning and disinfecting products, have them:
• Make sure that people with asthma are not in the room.
• Minimize use of disinfectants that can cause an asthma attack.
• Open windows or doors and use a fan that blows air outdoors.
• Always follow the instructions on the product label.
• Spray or pour spray products onto a cleaning cloth or paper towel instead of spraying the product directly onto the cleaning surface (if the product label allows).

Chronic kidney disease being treated with dialysis may increase a person’s risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

• Chronic lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (including emphysema and chronic bronchitis), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis, may put people at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• Actions to take
• Keep taking your current medications, including those with steroids in them (“steroids” is another word for corticosteroids).
• Avoid triggers that make your symptoms worse.
• Why you might be at higher risk
• Based on data from other viral respiratory infections, COVID-19 might cause flare-ups of chronic lung diseases leading to severe illness.

Diabetes

Diabetes, including type 1, type 2, or gestational, may put people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Continue taking your diabetes pills and insulin as usual.

Test your blood sugar every four hours and keep track of the results.

Make sure that you have at least a two-week supply of your diabetes pills and insulin.

Follow the sick day guidelines for people with diabetes.

Why you might be at higher risk

People with diabetes whose blood sugar levels are often higher than their target are more likely to have diabetes-related health problems. Those health problems can make it harder to overcome COVID-19.

Convalescent plasma (kon-vuh-LES-unt PLAZ-muh) therapy is an experimental treatment that some doctors are using for people with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

No drug has been proved to be safe and effective for treating COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved any drugs specifically to treat people with COVID-19.

But, people who’ve recovered from COVID-19 have antibodies — proteins the body uses to fight off infections — to the disease in their blood. The blood from people who’ve recovered is called convalescent plasma. Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood.

Researchers hope that convalescent plasma can be given to people with severe COVID-19 to boost their ability to fight the virus. It also might help keep people who are moderately ill from becoming more ill and experiencing COVID-19 complications.

If you’ve had COVID-19 and recovered from it, consider donating blood through the American Red Cross or your local donation center. Either can provide information about the donation process.

Convalescent plasma therapy may be helpful for people with COVID-19 who aren’t helped by other treatments. Some people with COVID-19 become very sick and don’t respond to other treatments or drugs. These people often develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) — a severe lung condition. They often require mechanical assistance, such as a ventilator, to breathe. These people also are in danger of developing organ failure.

It could also help other people who may have a higher risk of serious illness, such as people with chronic medical conditions, for example, heart disease or diabetes, or those who have weakened immune systems. Convalescent plasma could help these people from getting sicker if they get COVID-19.

Convalescent plasma might also be considered for family members or health care workers who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 to potentially prevent them from getting COVID-19.

Doctors may choose to enroll the person with COVID-19 in an expanded access program and order convalescent plasma for him or her. This type of program provides access to investigational new drugs outside of clinical trials. This type of program is sometimes necessary when a disease is very severe or life-threatening, and there is no available treatment.

Originally published at https://coronaupdate2020bd.blogspot.com by https://wikiglobez.com/ or https://volkig.com/