In the early days of the pandemic, very little was known about the novel coronavirus since doctors had not encountered it before. Now that medical researchers have had time to study the impact of the virus on patients around the world, we are gaining a better understanding of how it behaves and affects different populations.
A growing body of research shows that having certain underlying health conditions raises the risk of becoming seriously ill or dying from COVID-19. According to one study, some conditions may double or even triple the risk of death for COVID-19 patients.
Understanding who is at an increased risk of serious complications helps doctors provide appropriate care. Read on for a list of conditions associated with COVID-19 complications and the treatments we offer at Temple for high-risk patients who are diagnosed with COVID-19.
Conditions that Raise the Risk of Severe Illness from COVID
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you have a higher risk of severe illness or death due to COVID-19 if you have one of these conditions:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Heart conditions, including heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
- Weakened immune system due to organ transplant
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Smoking
- Type 2 diabetes
As more data becomes available, the list above is likely to change. According to the CDC, you might also have a higher risk of severe illness or death due to COVID-19 if you have one of these conditions (but more research is needed to know for sure):
- Moderate to severe asthma
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- High blood pressure
- Weakened immune system due to blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, or use of corticosteroids or other medicines that weaken the immune system
- Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
- Liver disease
- Overweight
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Thalassemia
- Type 1 diabetes
