COVID-19 and Chronic Conditions
ā
What is COVID-19? ā
People who have chronic medical conditions like high blood pressure, obesity, heart or lung disease, diabetes or
asthma, and older adults are at higher risk of becoming very ill and dying from COVID-19. COVID-19 is an illness
caused by a virus. The most common symptoms are fever, coughing, and trouble breathing. Some people
infected by the virus donāt feel sick, but they can still spread the virus.
āLong COVID (post-COVID Symptoms)ā
āāāāāSome people have new, returning, or lingering symptoms weeks to months after having COVID-19. This condition can be called many names including post-COVID conditions, long COVID, long haul COVID, and Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). People with these conditions are sometimes called ālong-haulers.ā Since July 2021, post-COVID conditions have been considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Anyone who had COVID-19 can develop a post-COVID condition, including people who had COVID-19 with no symptoms or very mild symptoms. People in any age group can develop post-COVID conditions, but they appear to be less common in children compared to adults. There is still a lot we do not know about post-COVID conditions, and this is an area of active research.
āAm I at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19? ā
āIf you have one of these risk factors, you are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and should take extra
care to protect yourself from COVID-19.
- Older than 65
- Obesity
- Asthma and lung disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Are a smoker
- āExperiencing a weakened immune system
that cannot fight germs because of cancer
treatment or a disease like the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus.ā
āāHow can I protect my loved ones and myself?
- Keep up with your routine
medical appointments. ā
- Make sure your blood pressure and
diabetes are under control.
- Wear a face covering
- Wash your hands often with soap and
water for at least 20 seconds or use
hand sanitizers that contain at least
60% alcohol.
- Stock up on healthy foods ā fruits,
vegetables, whole grains, and lean
proteins.
- Continue taking your medications
as prescribed.
- Get the flu shot!
- Clean objects or surfaces in your home
- Create a list of contacts to call on if
needed, such as friends, relatives,
coworkers, and neighbors.
- Keep a smoke and vape-free home to
lower the risk of lung damage.
- Get free help to quit smoking or vaping
by calling 1-800-NO-BUTTS,
1-800-45-NO-FUME, or 1-844-8-NO-VAPE.ā