Protecting immunocompromised patients from COVID-19

Older adults, people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes, and immunocompromised individuals seem to be at higher risk for developing serious complications from COVID-19 illness. The greater number of risk factors the higher the risk.

Examples of persons with weakened immune systems include those with HIV/AIDS; cancer and transplant patients who are taking certain immunosuppressive drugs; and those with inherited diseases that affect the immune system. 

Individuals with cancer including those with head and neck are at higher risk of suffering from a serious and life threatening COVID -19 infection when they also have the following conditions:

:

• Age > 55 years
• Pre-existing pulmonary disease
• Chronic kidney and or kidney disease
• Hypertension and/or cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Immunosuppression to include: chronic prednisone treatment (>20 mg/day), biologics, transplant, chemotherapy, and HIV. The risk of developing severe disease may depend on the degree of immune suppression.

These persons as well as those who are in close contact with them, should be extra vigilant in following the CDC and local government instructions. It is recommended that they isolating themselves by staying home and avoiding any contact.   

It is advisable to contact one’s physicians for guidance and when becoming ill.
Click this link to get information how to make your home corona proof.

Message from the Japanese Head and Neck Support Society. (in Japanese and English)

Message from the Singapore Cancer Society

Message from Atos in Spanish: Laringectomía y Total y el nuevo virus corona: Sugerencias para la protección.

Message from Nu Voice ( University of Southern California)  Los Angeles.