Diabetes, including type 1, type 2, or gestational, may put people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Actions to take
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.
Heart Disease
Serious heart conditions, including heart failure, coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and pulmonary hypertension, may put people at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Actions to take
Take your medication exactly as prescribed. Continue angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) or angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARB) as prescribed by your healthcare provider for indications such as heart failure or high blood pressure. This is recommended by current clinical guidelines.
Make sure that you have at least a two-week supply of your heart disease medications (such as those to treat high cholesterol and high blood pressure).
People with hypertension should continue to manage and control their blood pressure and take their medication as directed.
Why you might be at higher risk
COVID-19, like other viral illnesses such as the flu, can damage the respiratory system and make it harder for your heart to work. For people with heart failure and other serious heart conditions this can lead to a worsening of COVID-19 symptoms.
Severe Obesity
Actions to take
Take your medications for any underlying health conditions exactly as prescribed.
Why you might be at higher risk
Severe obesity increases the risk of a serious breathing problem called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is a major complication of COVID-19 and can cause difficulties with a doctor’s ability to provide respiratory support for seriously ill patients. People living with severe obesity can have multiple serious chronic diseases and underlying health conditions that can increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Chronic Lung Diseases
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.
Hemoglobin Disorders
Hemoglobin disorders such as sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia may put people at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Actions to take
Ask your healthcare provider about telemedicine or remote healthcare visits, and know when to go to the emergency department.
Work with your healthcare provider to manage medications and therapies for your disorder (including hydroxyurea, chelation therapy, blood transfusions, and prescriptions for pain management) and any other health condition you may have (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis).
Try to prevent vaso-occlusive episodes or pain crises by avoiding possible triggers.
Review our healthy living with SCD guide or our healthy living with thalassemia guide for tips to help you stay healthy.
Find SCD resources and thalassemia resources to help navigate care and increase knowledge and awareness of SCD and thalassemia.
Let friends and family know about the need for healthy blood donors.
Why you might be at higher risk
Living with a hemoglobin disorder can lead to serious multi-organ complications, and underlying medical conditions (such as heart disease, liver disease, diabetes, iron overload, kidney disease, viral infections, or weakened immune system) may increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Chrome Liver Disease
Chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, may increase risk for serious illness from COVID-19.
Actions to take
Take your medications exactly as prescribed.
Why you might be at higher risk
Severe illness caused by COVID-19 and the medications used to treat some severe consequences of COVID-19 can cause strain on the liver, particularly for those with underlying liver problems. People living with serious liver disease can have a weakened immune system, leaving the body less able to fight COVID-19.
People who Live in Nursing Homes/Longterm Care Homes
Many cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. have occurred among older adults living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities
Actions to take
Carefully follow your facility’s instructions for infection prevention.
Notify staff right away if you feel sick.
Ask your caretakers about the actions that are being taken at your nursing home or long-term care facility to protect you and your loved ones, including if and how they are limiting visitors.
Why you might be at higher risk
The communal nature of nursing homes and long-term care facilities, and the population served (generally older adults often with underlying medical conditions), put those living in nursing homes at higher risk of infection and severe illness from COVID-19.
SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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♥️ Jods
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Coronavirus/COVID-19 Informatics
RandomCoronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Old...
