People with Certain Medical Conditions and COVID-19 Risk Factors (2024)

Overview

This information is for a general audience. Healthcare professionals should see Underlying Medical Conditions Associated with Higher Risk for Severe COVID-19 for more detailed information.

Stay Up to Date With COVID-19 Vaccines‎

Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and following preventive measures are especially important if you are older or have one or more health conditions, including those listed below.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective

Stay Up To Date

If you have one more of the conditions listed below, you are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 and be hospitalized, need intensive care, require a ventilator to breathe, and/or die.

Risk factors for getting very sick with COVID-19

  • 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 among people ages 18-29 years.
    • Your risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases as the number of your underlying medical conditions increase.
      • Some people are at increased risk of getting very sick or dying from COVID-19 because of where they live or work, or because they can’t get health care. This includes many people from racial and ethnic minority groups and people with disabilities.

        Specific information on children and teens

        People of all ages, including children and teens, can get very sick from COVID-19, especially those with underlying medical conditions. This includes children and teens with:

        • Medical complexity
          • Genetic, neurologic, or metabolic conditions
            • Congenital heart disease

              Like adults, children and teens 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. Check out COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens for more information on vaccinating your child.

              Learn how CDC develops COVID-19 vaccination recommendations.

              Contact Your Healthcare Provider‎

              If you have questions about a condition not included on this list or questions on how to manage your condition and protect yourself from COVID-19 and severe illness.

              For treatment options. You must start treatment within 5-7 days from the time your symptoms start. Treatment can reduce your risk of hospitalization by more than 50% and reduce your risk of death.

              You can also visit a Test to Treat location.

              Conditions that can increase risk

              • The conditions on this list are in alphabetical order. They are not in order of risk.
              • CDC reviewed each medical condition on this list to ensure they met criteria for inclusion. If there is new evidence, other conditions might be added to the list.
              • This list does not include all medical conditions that place a person at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Rare medical conditions, including many conditions that mostly affect children, may not be included.
              • A person with a condition that is not listed may still be at greater risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 than other people. It is important to talk with your healthcare provider about your risk.

              Having the following diseases, conditions, or behaviors can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.

              Cancer

              Treatments for many types of cancer can weaken your body's ability to fight off disease.

              Get more information:

              Cerebrovascular disease

              Including stroke which affects blood flow to the brain.

              Get more information:

              Chronic kidney disease (at any stage)

              Get more information:

              Chronic liver disease

              This includes alcohol-related liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, and cirrhosis (or scarring of the liver).

              Get more information:

              Chronic lung disease

              Chronic lung disease can include:

              • Asthma (moderate to severe)
                • Bronchiectasis (thickening of the lungs' airways)
                  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (chronic lung disease affecting newborns)
                    • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis
                      • Damaged or scarred lung tissue (interstitial lung disease including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis)
                        • Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)
                          • Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs)

                            Get more information:

                            Cystic fibrosis

                            With or without lung or other solid organ transplant (like kidney, liver, intestines, heart, and pancreas).

                            Get more information:

                            Dementia or other neurological conditions

                            Get more information:

                            Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)

                            Get more information:

                            Disabilities

                            People with some types of disabilities may be more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 because of underlying medical conditions, living in congregate settings, or systemic health and social inequities, including:

                            • People with any type of disability that makes it more difficult to do certain activities or interact with the world around them, including people who need help with self-care or daily activities
                              • People with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
                                • People with cerebral palsy
                                  • People with birth defects
                                    • People with intellectual and developmental disabilities
                                      • People with learning disabilities
                                        • People with spinal cord injuries
                                          • People with Down syndrome

                                            Get more information:

                                            • People with Disabilities

                                              Heart conditions

                                              This includes heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, and possibly high blood pressure (hypertension).

                                              Get more information:

                                              Hemoglobin blood disorders

                                              Get more information:

                                              • Sickle Cell Disease
                                                • Thalassemia

                                                  HIV infection (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

                                                  Get more information:

                                                  Immunocompromised condition or weakened immune system

                                                  People who are immunocompromised or are taking medicines that weaken their immune system may not be protected even if they are up to date on their vaccines. Examples include:

                                                  • People who have cancer and are on chemotherapy
                                                    • People who have had a solid organ transplant and are taking medication to keep their transplant
                                                      • People who use some medicines for a long time, like corticosteroids
                                                        • Primary immunodeficiency

                                                          Talk with your healthcare provider about what additional precautions may be necessary. Additionally, people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may benefit from additional doses of updated COVID-19 vaccine. Because their immune response following COVID-19 vaccination may differ, specific guidance has been developed.

                                                          Get more information:

                                                          You Might Be Eligible for Pemivibart (Pemgarda™)‎

                                                          People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, are aged 12 and older, and who weigh at least 88 pounds may be eligible to get Pemivibart (Pemgarda™), a monoclonal antibody authorized to help protect against COVID-19. Pemgarda may provide another layer of protection against COVID-19 in addition to protection provided through vaccination and can be given at least 2 weeks after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Pemgarda is not a treatment for COVID-19. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if Pemgarda is right for you.

                                                          Mental health conditions

                                                          Mood disorders including depression and schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

                                                          Get more information:

                                                          Overweight and obesity

                                                          Overweight (defined as a body mass index (BMI) is 25 kg/m2 or higher, but under 30 kg/m2), obesity (BMI is 30 kg/m2 or higher, but under 40 kg/m2), or severe obesity (BMI is 40 kg/m2 or higher). The risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases sharply with higher BMI.

                                                          Get more information:

                                                          Physical inactivity

                                                          Being physically active is important to being healthy. Get more information on physical activity and health, physical activity recommendations, how to become more active, and how to create activity-friendly communities:

                                                          Pregnancy

                                                          Get more information:

                                                          • Pregnant and Recently Pregnant People (for at least 42 days following end of pregnancy)

                                                            Smoking - current or former

                                                            It’s never too late to quit smoking. Quitting smoking improves your health, regardless of age or how long you have smoked.

                                                            You do not have to quit smoking alone. Find free resources to help you quit and stay quit.

                                                            Get more information:

                                                            • How to Quit Smoking
                                                              • Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking

                                                                Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant

                                                                Get more information:

                                                                Substance use disorders

                                                                Such as alcohol, opioid, or cocaine use disorder.

                                                                Get more information:

                                                                Tuberculosis (TB)

                                                                Get more information:

                                                                • About TB
                                                                  • Public Health Emergencies
                                                                    People with Certain Medical Conditions and COVID-19 Risk Factors (2024)

                                                                    FAQs

                                                                    What are some medical conditions that increase the risk of coronavirus? ›

                                                                    Like adults, children and teens 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.

                                                                    Who are more vulnerable or at risk of being infected with COVID-19? ›

                                                                    COVID-19 is often more severe in people 60+yrs or with health conditions like lung or heart disease, diabetes or conditions that affect their immune system. ​ Do your part to protect those who are at most risk.

                                                                    What groups are at a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19? ›

                                                                    Aging plus disease raises the risk of serious COVID-19
                                                                    • Heart disease. Examples are heart failure or coronary artery disease.
                                                                    • Diabetes mellitus. The risk is higher for both type 1 and type 2.
                                                                    • Chronic lung diseases. This includes airway disease and conditions that damage lung tissue.
                                                                    • Obesity. ...
                                                                    • Chronic kidney disease.

                                                                    Who is at risk for long-term effects of COVID? ›

                                                                    What are the risk factors for post-COVID-19 syndrome? You might be more likely to have post- COVID-19 syndrome if: You had severe illness with COVID-19 , especially if you were hospitalized or needed intensive care. You had certain medical conditions before getting the COVID-19 virus.

                                                                    What makes a person more susceptible to COVID-19? ›

                                                                    Known risk factors for serious illness include people who have not gotten a COVID-19 vaccine. Serious illness also is a higher risk for people who have: Sickle cell disease or thalassemia. Serious heart diseases and possibly high blood pressure.

                                                                    What comorbidities cause COVID-19 severity? ›

                                                                    According to some statistics, it was observed that 75% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 have at least one comorbidity. The most common among these are hypertension, diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and kidney diseases.

                                                                    What medical conditions make you immunocompromised? ›

                                                                    Examples of medical conditions or treatments that may result in moderate to severe immunocompromise include, but are not limited to, cancer treatment, organ transplant with immunosuppressive therapy, and primary immunodeficiency.

                                                                    What are high risk factors for COVID? ›

                                                                    The CDC details the factors that can increase the risk for getting severe COVID-19 . They include:
                                                                    • Age 50 Years or Older. ...
                                                                    • Cancer. ...
                                                                    • Chronic kidney disease. ...
                                                                    • Chronic liver disease. ...
                                                                    • Chronic lung diseases. ...
                                                                    • Cystic fibrosis. ...
                                                                    • Dementia. ...
                                                                    • Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)

                                                                    What is the principal risk factor for severe illness from COVID-19? ›

                                                                    Age remains the strongest risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes, with risk of severe outcomes increasing markedly with increasing age.

                                                                    Who is considered clinically vulnerable to COVID-19? ›

                                                                    These were people considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) to COVID-19 and at high risk of serious illness. Over a third (38%) were identified as CEV because of a respiratory condition, 17% a rare genetic, metabolic or autoimmune disease and 14% due to being treated for cancer.

                                                                    Which groups have been most seriously affected by COVID-19 disease? ›

                                                                    Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age.

                                                                    What is an underlying medical condition? ›

                                                                    Underlying medical conditions

                                                                    Key conditions include: Chronic heart, lung, kidney, and liver disease. Diabetes. Obesity (BMI >30 kg/m2 or >95th percentile in children) Disabilities.

                                                                    What are the strange symptoms of the latest COVID variant? ›

                                                                    Some people with COVID-19 report feeling sick to the stomach, vomiting or having loose stools, called diarrhea. Another symptom reported is pain in the belly. With the omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19, these digestive symptoms are more common than with earlier waves of the virus.

                                                                    What is the most common symptom of long COVID? ›

                                                                    The most common symptoms of long COVID are:
                                                                    • extreme tiredness (fatigue)
                                                                    • feeling short of breath.
                                                                    • problems with your memory and concentration ("brain fog")
                                                                    • heart palpitations.
                                                                    • dizziness.
                                                                    • joint pain and muscle aches.

                                                                    How soon will a person experience symptoms after being exposed to COVID-19? ›

                                                                    Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms may start as mild, and some people will progress to more severe symptoms.

                                                                    What are increased risks for COVID-19? ›

                                                                    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.

                                                                    Which of the following diseases is caused by a coronavirus? ›

                                                                    Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and the common cold are examples of coronaviruses that cause illness in humans.

                                                                    What are warning signs of severe COVID? ›

                                                                    “If you are having a hard time breathing, that is a sign that you or a family member should contact a medical provider right away,” Kline said. Other emergency warning signs can include persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, and bluish lips or face.

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