Asthma medication
Asthma medication Source: Getty ImagesRgStudio
If you have heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or asthma, learn additional precautions against coronavirus.
Some groups of people with serious health conditions are more at risk of being infected with the virus, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma. The virus attacks the lung tissue and causes internal inflammation.
More than 70 percent of COVID-19 patients worldwide need intensive care for those with serious health conditions.
The most critical conditions include: chronic lung disease, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, liver and kidney conditions, and medications and treatments that weaken the immune system such as cancer and post-transplant treatments.
Asthma or Asthma
Asthma is a respiratory condition caused by hypersensitivity and inflammation of the airways. Some of the symptoms are coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing. Currently, 11% are affected by this disease throughout Australia. According to the report, more Indigenous Australians are affected.
When experiencing asthma, it can cause irritated airways. People who experience it need to be more careful because COVID-19 also attacks the airway which can worsen the condition of the person with asthma.
Here is more information about asthma
Other lung conditions
The most common lung conditions besides asthma are: asbestosis, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, lung cancer, pleural effusion, pleurisy, respiratory silicosis and tuberculosis.
Heart disease
According to global research, the risk of death is higher for people affected by COVID-19 with cardiovascular disease. Not only because they are at higher risk of contracting the virus but also at higher risk of developing a more serious illness. When tested positive for COVID-19, it can cause severe inflammation of the heart muscle that can cause heart injury and heart attack.
It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle: exercise, have a balanced diet, drink water and get enough sleep. The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or a combination thereof and accompanied by exercise that can be done at home.
Here is more information about cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
People with diabetes can have more serious complications. Diabetes Australia recommends getting vaccinated against the flu, developing a plan in case of illness, and properly controlling blood glucose levels. People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing severe respiratory illness than people without diabetes. Diabetes weakens the immune-response to viral infection and can also cause bacterial secondary infection in the lungs. Patients with type-2 diabetes and who are said to be obese or have obesity problems are at risk of developing more serious infections.
Here is more information about diabetes and COVID-19
Liver conditions
For people with hepatitis B or C, or any liver condition, they are also advised to be careful. It is better to be careful and knowledgeable about what to do to protect yourself against COVID-19. For people with more severe liver disease, it is better to get vaccinated against the flu and pneumococcal disease.
Here is more information about hepatitis and COVID-19
Here is more information about COVID-19 and chronic hepatitis B
Here is more information about COVID-19 and chronic hepatitis C
Kidney disease
People with kidney disease need to be aware that they are also at higher risk of complications in the event of a coronavirus. COVID-19 can also affect a patient's kidney function if he or she has another illness, is dehydrated or has a secondary infection.
Here is more information about COVID-19 and kidney disease
Link to Kidney Health Australia’s management plan
Cancer treatment
When you get cancer, your immune system weakens even more so it is important to follow the advice and precautions recommended by health care practitioners to reduce the risk of infection, during treatment and after treatment. It is important to stay home and avoid non-essential travel and take public transport. The situation cannot be changed in patients who have undergone post-transplant treatment.
Here is more information about cancer support
Everyone in Australia is required to keep a distance of 1.5 meters from other people. Gatherings are limited to two people, unless you are a family member or housemate.
If you suspect you have the virus, call your doctor (do not visit the clinic) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline 1800 020 080. If you have difficulty breathing, or have an emergency, call 000.
