Who are some groups at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19?
Some people may be at higher risk of severe illness. This includes older adults (65 years and older) and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions. By using strategies that help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace, you will help protect all employees, including those at higher risk.
Does age increase the risk for serious illness from COVID-19?
Your chances of getting seriously sick with COVID-19 go up with your age. Someone who’s in their 50s is at higher risk than someone in their 40s, and so on. The highest risk is in people 85 and older.
Is it safe for people with high risk for severe illness from COVID-19 to care for a COVID-19 patient?
The caregiver, when possible, should not be someone who is at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Does having multiple medical conditions increase the risk of a severe illness from COVID-19?
Certain underlying medical conditions increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness in adults. Having multiple conditions also increased risk. Obesity, diabetes with complications, and anxiety and fear-related disorders had the strongest association with death. The risk associated with a condition increased with age.
Which group of children at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19?
Similar to adults, children with obesity, diabetes, asthma or chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, or immunosuppression can also be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Are asthma patients at higher risk for developing severe illness from COVID-19?
People with moderate-to-severe or uncontrolled asthma are more likely to be hospitalized from COVID-19. Take steps to protect yourself.
Are healthy young and middle-aged adults at risk of dying from COVID-19?
COVID-19 also has led to serious illness and even death in younger and middle-aged adults who are otherwise healthy. While most children have mild or no symptoms, some have gotten severely ill. As with adults, even if children have no symptoms, they can spread the virus to others.
Do healthy adults under age 65 need to worry about COVID-19?
Yes, they do. Although the risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19 increases steadily with age, younger people can get sick enough from the disease to require hospitalization. And certain underlying medical conditions may increase the risk of serious COVID-19 for individuals of any age.
Should I postpone my elective surgery due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
See full answerThe availability of elective surgeries and procedures throughout the United States is very fluid, and may reflect the number of cases and infection rate in a given area. If COVID-19 cases are rising in your area, it’s quite possible that you already have been canceled or rescheduled by the hospital or medical center in which you are scheduled to have the procedure. If not, then you should consider postponing any procedure that can wait.That being said, keep in mind that “elective” is a relative term. For instance, you may not have needed immediate surgery for sciatica caused by a herniated disc. But the pain may be so severe that you would not be able to endure postponing the surgery for weeks or perhaps months. In that case, you and your doctor should make a shared decision about proceeding.
What is the relationship between COVID-19 and COPD?
COPD puts you at higher risk to get seriously sick if you were to get infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.