Who Is at Higher Risk for Severe Illness Due to COVID-19?

The risk factors related to Coronavirus are currently being studied by medical researchers around the world. However, there is a lot that is being discussed about COVID-19 which may leave you confused. Hence, it is better to rely on credible sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please continue reading to know about individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness due to Coronavirus, as revealed by the CDC.

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.

If you have any questions related to Coronavirus, you can consult our team of expert doctors through online doctor consultation.