Which groups of people are at increased risks of severe illness from COVID-19?

The risk of developing dangerous symptoms of COVID-19 may be increased in people who are older. The risk may also be increased in people of any age who have other serious health problems — such as heart or lung conditions, weakened immune systems, obesity, or diabetes.

Who is most at risk for the coronavirus disease?

Older adults are at highest risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. More than 81% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people over age 65. The number of deaths among people over age 65 is 97 times higher than the number of deaths among people ages 18-29 years.

Why are some people more at risk for COVID-19?

So, why is it that some people are so badly affected by COVID when many are barely scratched by it? Age and other health conditions increase the risk of getting really sick, but a new study suggests that those who escape the worst symptoms might also have the right balance of a type of immune cells called macrophages.

Are the immunocompromised people at a higher risk of getting COVID-19?

If you are moderately or severely immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system), you are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness and death. Additionally, your immune response to COVID-19 vaccination may not be as strong as in people who are not immunocompromised.

What conditions put children at higher risk for COVID-19?

Like adults, children with obesity, diabetes, asthma or chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, or who are immunocompromised can also be at increased risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.

What are some exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine?

Some people may be at risk for an adverse reaction because of an allergy to one of the vaccine components or a medical condition. This is referred to as a medical exemption. Some people may decline vaccination because of a sincerely held religious belief. This is referred to as a religious exemption.

Are children with underlying conditions/compromised immune systems more at risk for multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) from a COVID-19 infection?

We don’t yet have enough data to say whether any of these children are more at risk. What we know from COVID-19, though, is that the coronavirus infection can be more likely among people with certain underlying medical conditions.

How long are immunocompromised people contagious during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Some severely immunocompromised persons with COVID-19 may remain infectious beyond 20 days after their symptoms began and require additional SARS-CoV-2 testing and consultation with infectious diseases specialists and infection control experts.

Should you get the Covid vaccine if you have an autoimmune disease?

The American College of Rheumatology COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance recommends that people with autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic disease (which includes lupus) get the vaccine unless they have an allergy to an ingredient in the vaccine.

What is an immunocompromised condition?

Immunocompromised condition or weakened immune system. Some people are immunocompromised or have a weakened immune system, because of a medical condition and treatment for the condition.

Can COVID-19 symptoms vary in different people?

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

What are some of the things you can do to lower your chances of getting or spreading COVID-19?

• Wash your hands well and often. Use hand sanitizer when you’re not near soap and water.
• Try not to touch your face.
• Wear a face mask when you go out.
• Follow your community guidelines for staying home.
• When you do go out in public, leave at least 6 feet of space between you and others.

Are obese people more at risk of COVID-19?

• Having obesity increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. People who are overweight
may also be at increased risk.
• Having obesity may triple the risk of hospitalization due to a COVID-19 infection.
• Obesity is linked to impaired immune function.

What groups of people may experience stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Some groups of people who may experience stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic include:

• Certain racial and ethnic minority groups, including Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and black or African Americans;
• People who tested positive for COVID-19, have recovered from being sick with COVID-19, or were released from COVID-19 quarantine;
• Emergency responders or healthcare providers;
• Other frontline workers, such as grocery store clerks, delivery drivers, or farm and food processing plant workers;
• People who have disabilities or developmental or behavioral disorders who may have difficulty following recommendations;
• People who have underlying health conditions that cause a cough;
• People living in congregate (group) settings, such as people experiencing homelessness.

Is having a chronic liver disease considered as a higher risk for COVID-19 according to the CDC?

Having chronic liver disease can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. Chronic liver disease can include alcohol-related liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, and cirrhosis (or scarring of the liver). Get more information: Liver Disease American Liver Foundation: Your Liver & COVID-19 Chronic lung diseases Having a chronic lung disease can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.

Can I become seriously ill from COVID-19?

Although most people with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms, the disease can cause severe medical complications and lead to death in some people. Older adults or people with existing chronic medical conditions are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19 .

Can COVID-19 cause an autoimmune disease?

Widespread and long-term inflammation during severe COVID-19 may cause the immune system to produce antibodies to pieces of the virus it wouldn't normally recognize. Some of those pieces might resemble human proteins enough to trigger the production of autoantibodies.

Are you at risk of experiencing an autoimmune disease flare-up from COVID-19 vaccine?

There is a risk that flare-ups may occur. That being said, it has been observed that people living with autoimmune and inflammatory conditions are at higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms from a COVID-19 infection.

Are rheumatoid arthritis patients more at risk of getting COVID-19?

If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you're more likely to get certain infections. That means you may have a higher chance of getting COVID-19. If you do get sick, your symptoms could be more serious than someone who doesn't have RA. Some medicines you take might also make infections more likely.

How long can you be infectious with COVID-19?

Two-plus years into the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists still aren't sure how long people who catch coronavirus remain infectious, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Is COVID-19 infectious after 7 days?

Most people with COVID-19 are no longer contagious 5 days after they first have symptoms and have been fever-free for at least three days.

How long could you be contagious with COVID-19?

"Youve gotta stay home for five days because typically those first five days are when you are the most contagious," Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said. "But in those days six to 10, some people still can be spreading virus."

What is multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children in the context of COVID-19?

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) is a rare but serious condition associated with COVID-19 in which different body parts become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. MIS can affect children (MIS-C) and adults (MIS-A).

Can COVID-19 cause multisystem infammatory syndrome in children?

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a serious condition that appears to be linked to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Most children who become infected with the COVID-19 virus have only a mild illness.

When was COVID-19 Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) first diagnosed?

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) was first identified in April 2020 by doctors at children's hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom. The condition has also been called pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS).