The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added to their list of medical conditions that predispose an individual to a greater risk of more severe illness due to the COVID-19 coronavirus.

A number of medical conditions that were previously warned “might” cause higher risk are now firmly designated high-risk, including type 1 diabetes (in addition to type 2), moderate-to-severe asthma, liver disease, dementia or other neurological conditions, stroke/cerebrovascular disease, HIV infection, cystic fibrosis, and overweight (in addition to obesity).

Newly added to the list are substance abuse disorders.

Here follows the updated information from the CDC website.

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People with Certain Medical Conditions

Updated Mar. 29, 2021

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

Overview

Adults of any age with the following conditions can be more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. Severe illness means that a person with COVID-19 may need:

• Hospitalization
• Intensive care
• A ventilator to help them breathe
• Or they may even die

In addition:

• Older adults are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. More than 80% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people over age 65, and more than 95% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people older than 45.
• Long-standing systemic health and social inequities have put people from many racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19. Studies have shown minority groups are also dying from COVID-19 at younger ages. People in minority groups are often younger when they develop chronic medical conditions and may be more likely to have more than one condition.

If you have a medical condition, speak with your healthcare provider about steps you can take to manage your health and risks. 

Preventive measures for COVID-19 (including vaccination, wearing a mask and social distancing) are important especially if you are older or have multiple or severe health conditions. You can learn about CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, including how medical conditions and other factors inform recommendations, here.

COVID-19 Vaccines Information for Specific Groups

Vaccine information for older adults, long-term care facility residents, people with underlying medical conditions, people at high risk for severe illness, people with disabilities, and more.

Note: The list below does not include all potential medical conditions that could make you more likely to get severely ill. Rare medical conditions may not be included below. However, a person with a condition that is not listed may still be in more danger from COVID-19 than persons of similar age who do not have the condition and should talk with their healthcare provider.

Medical Conditions in Adults

• This list is presented in alphabetical order and not in order of risk.
• CDC completed an evidence review process for each medical condition on this list to ensure they met criteria for inclusion on this webpage.
• We are learning more about COVID-19 every day, and this list may be updated as the science evolves.

Cancer

Having cancer can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. Treatments for many types of cancer can weaken your body’s ability to fight off disease.  At this time, based on available studies, having a history of cancer may increase your risk.

Get more information:

• Cancer | CDC
• American Cancer Society: What People with Cancer Should Know about Coronavirus

Chronic kidney disease

Having chronic kidney disease of any stage can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

• Chronic kidney disease | CDC
• National Kidney Foundation: Kidney disease and COVID-19

Chronic lung diseases, including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate-to-severe), interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension

Chronic lung diseases can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. These diseases may include:

• Asthma, if it’s moderate to severe
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis
• Having damaged or scarred lung tissue such as interstitial lung disease (including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis)
• Cystic fibrosis, with or without lung or other solid organ transplant
• Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs)

Get more information:

• COPD | CDC
• Asthma | CDC
• American Lung Association: Controlling Chronic Lung Diseases Amid COVID-19

Dementia or other neurological conditions

Having neurological conditions, such as dementia, can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

• Dementia | CDC
• Alzheimer’s Association: COVID-19, Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)

Having either type 1 or type 2 diabetes can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

• Diabetes | CDC
• American Diabetes Association: How COVID-19 Impacts People with Diabetes

Down syndrome

Having Down syndrome can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

• Down syndrome | CDC
• National Down Syndrome Society: COVID-19 and Down Syndrome

Heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension)

Having heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, and possibly high blood pressure (hypertension) can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

• Heart Disease | CDC
• COVID-19 | American Heart Association

HIV infection

Having HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

• HIV Infection | CDC
• National Institutes of Health: Special Considerations in People With HIV infection

Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)

Having a weakened immune system can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. Many conditions and treatments can cause a person to be immunocompromised or have a weakened immune system. Primary immunodeficiency is caused by genetic defects that can be inherited. Prolonged use of corticosteroids or other immune weakening medicines can lead to secondary or acquired immunodeficiency.

Get more information:

• Types of Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases
• The Jeffrey Modell Foundation
• Immune Deficiency Foundation

Liver disease

Having chronic liver disease, such as alcohol-related liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and especially cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

• Liver Disease | NIDDK (nih.gov)
• American Liver Foundation: Your Liver & COVID-19

Overweight and obesity

Overweight (defined as a body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m² but < 30 kg/m²), obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m² but < 40 kg/m²), or severe obesity (BMI of ≥40 kg/m²), can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.  The risk of severe COVID-19 illness increases sharply with elevated BMI.

Get more information:

• Obesity | CDC
• Obesity, Race/Ethnicity, and COVID-19 | CDC
• Obesity Action Coalition: COVID-19 and Obesity

Pregnancy

Pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people.

Get more information:

• Pregnant People | CDC
• Toolkit for Pregnant People and New Parents | CDC
• Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 during Pregnancy | CDC

Sickle cell disease or thalassemia

Having hemoglobin blood disorders like sickle cell disease (SCD) or thalassemia can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

• Sickle Cell Disease | CDC
• Thalassemia | CDC

Smoking, current or former

Being a current or former cigarette smoker can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. If you currently smoke, quit. If you used to smoke, don’t start again. If you’ve never smoked, don’t start.

Get more information:

• Smoking & Tobacco Use | CDC
• How to Quit Smoking | Quit Smoking | Tips From Former Smokers | CDC
• Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking | CDC

Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant

Having had a solid organ or blood stem cell transplant, which includes bone marrow transplants, can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

• Transplant Safety | CDC
• COVID-19 Resources for Transplant Community

Stroke or cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood flow to the brain

Having cerebrovascular disease, such as having a stroke, can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

• Stroke | CDC
• COVID19 Stroke Podcast Series for Patients and Caregivers 

Substance use disorders

Having a substance use disorder (such as alcohol, opioid, or cocaine use disorder) can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

• How to Recognize a Substance Use Disorder
• Learn more about people who use drugs or have Substance Use Disorder and COVID-19

Information on Children and Teens

While children have been less affected by COVID-19 compared with adults, children can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and some children develop severe illness. Children with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness compared to children without underlying medical conditions. Current evidence on which underlying medical conditions in children are associated with increased risk is limited. Current evidence suggests that children with medical complexity, with genetic, neurologic, metabolic conditions, or with congenital heart disease can be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Similar to adults, children with obesity, diabetes, asthma or chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, or immunosuppression can also be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. One way to protect the health of children is to ensure that all adults in a household are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

• Children, Teens, and Young Adults | CDC
• COVID-19 Parental Resources Kit | CDC

Actions You Can Take

In general, the older you are, the more health conditions you have, and the more severe the conditions, the more important it is to take preventive measures for COVID-19 such as vaccination, wearing a mask , social distancing, and practicing hand hygiene. Please contact your state, tribal, local, or territorial health department for more information on COVID-19 vaccination in your area.

It is important for people with medical conditions and their providers to work together and manage those conditions carefully and safely. Get a COVID-19 vaccine when you are eligible. If you have a medical condition, the following are actions you can take based on your medical conditions and other risk factors:

• Continue your medicines and do not change your treatment plan without talking to your healthcare provider.
• Follow your current treatment plan (e.g., Asthma Action Plan, dialysis schedule, blood sugar testing, nutrition and exercise recommendations) to keep your medical condition under control.
• Have at least a 30-day supply of prescription and non-prescription medicines. Talk to a healthcare provider, insurer, and pharmacist about getting an extra supply (i.e., more than 30 days) of prescription medicines, if possible, to reduce your trips to the pharmacy.
• Have shelf-stable food choices available to accommodate dietary needs based on your medical condition (e.g., kidney diet and KCER 3-Day Emergency Diet Plan, diabetic diet).
• Know the triggers for your condition and avoid when possible (e.g., avoid asthma triggers by having another member of your household clean and disinfect your house for you or avoid possible sickle cell disease triggers to prevent vaso-occlusive episodes or pain crises).
• Learn about stress and coping. You may feel increased stress during this pandemic. Fear and anxiety can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions.
• Do not delay getting emergency care for your medical condition because of COVID-19. Emergency departments have infection prevention plans to protect you from getting COVID-19 if you need care.
• Call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your medical conditions or if you get sick and think that you may have COVID-19. If you need emergency help, call 911 right away.
• When possible, keep preventive care and other routine healthcare appointments (such as vaccinations and blood pressure checks) with your provider. Check with your provider about safety precautions for office visits and ask about telemedicine or remote healthcare visit options.