Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to have an impact on several countries. If exposed to the virus all individuals are at risk but it appears that complications are more frequently in the elderly and those who are immunocompromised. There are still many unknowns about how the COVID-19 pandemic may affect those with chronic illnesses, suppressed immune systems, and underlying health issues.
What does it mean to be immunocompromised?
When a person is immunocompromised (sometimes referred to as immunosuppressed), it means his or her immune defenses are weakened and not functioning normally. This immune system compromise can be temporary or permanent, depending on the underlying cause.
What is the immune system?
The immune system is the bodily system that protects the body from foreign substances, cells, and tissues, by producing the immune response – and that includes especially the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, special deposits of lymphoid tissue (as in the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow), macrophages, lymphocytes including the B cells and T cells, and antibodies.
The main purpose of your immune system is to protect your body from viruses and bacteria. Your immune system works by recognizing the difference between your body’s cells and alien cells, allowing it to destroy any that could be potentially harmful.
What are the most common causes of a compromised immune system?
Chronic conditions that affect the immune system include heart disease, lung disease, lupus, and diabetes. Other conditions that can leave a person immunocompromised include cancer, HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, and some rare genetic disorders. Chemotherapy and steroids can also lower immunity. They suppress the body’s ability to activate its immune defenses by destroying immune cells or by blunting the cell’s ability to spot and kill bacteria.
COVID-19 and the immunocompromised
As novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread, people are wondering what exactly can make someone more at risk of developing severe symptoms and complications from the virus. Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus so no one has a built up an immune response to it. Basically, that means everyone has an equal risk of getting novel coronavirus, though not everyone will have symptoms or be affected by the virus to the same degree. Those who are immunocompromised are not at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, but they are at an increased risk of developing severe symptoms from it, including death.
People with chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are at the highest risk for severe disease and death associated with COVID-19, according to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to a study of 1,590 patients from China, those infected with COVID-19 who were already dealing with a chronic condition were 1.8 times more likely than those with no underlying conditions to have a “poor outcome,” such as being put on a ventilator or dying. People in the study with two chronic conditions were 2.6 times more likely. Those numbers translated into a “poor outcome” for nearly 20 percent of the patients who had at least one chronic condition, compared with 4.5 percent of those without any chronic ailments.
It should be pointed out that individuals under the age of 65 can also develop serious complications following infection with novel coronavirus (COVID-19). I would like to dispel the notion that the virus seriously threatens only the elderly.
What are symptoms of coronavirus like for immunocompromised people?
Most of us by now are aware of the main symptoms of COVID-19. The most common symptoms are fever, fatigue, and respiratory symptoms, including a cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath. Symptoms for the immunocompromised can last up to 20 or more days. It is unclear exactly how everyone who has a suppressed immune system will respond to the virus. Even though he or she is at a higher risk of complications, whether or not he or she develops those severe symptoms is really a case-by-case basis.
What should you do if you think you have been exposed to the coronavirus and you are immunocompromised?
If you think you have been exposed, call your doctor [and explain your symptoms]. You should call your healthcare provider before going to the clinic or doctor’s office. This is important so that preparations can be made to prevent possible spread of the virus. Your doctor or healthcare provider would direct you on further management protocols.
How can you protect yourself if you have a chronic condition or live with someone who does?
The number-one way to protect yourself, and those living with you that may be at higher risk for severe disease, is to practice social distancing whenever possible, no handshaking, wash your hands often, and avoid touching your face unless you just washed your hands. All individuals are encouraged to cover their mouth with tissue when coughing or sneezing and then discard the tissue. You should try to keep highly used surfaces (e.g., cell phones and door handles) clean using normal sanitizing sprays and cleansers. If you are feeling sick, it is best to stay home as much as possible to prevent spreading the virus.
If you share a space with someone who is immunocompromised, do not share food, plates, or utensils with them—and unfortunately, hugging and kissing is off-limits. It is also important that higher-risk people stay hydrated and well-fed and make sure they are getting enough sleep, so that their bodies can be better prepared if they come into contact with the virus.
Conclusion
Individuals in Anguilla, and other countries around the world, are taking precautions to protect themselves from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Some people are at a much higher risk for serious complications from the virus than others – including the elderly and people who are immunocompromised. All individuals are encouraged to protect themselves from COVID-19. It is worth me repeating the WHO’s advice for protecting yourself and others: Wash your hands frequently with soap and/or alcohol-based sanitizers; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; cover your mouth or nose when you sneeze or cough; and maintain distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Of course, if you have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing yourself, contact your doctor or healthcare provider. Do not turn up unannounced to any healthcare facility if you have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. Always call before so that preparations can be made to decrease the risk of spread of the virus to others. Individuals in Anguilla having concerns regarding COVID-19 should contact their doctor or healthcare provider or call the COVID -19 hotline at 4767627 or 476 SOAP.
Ask Your Dr is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor with over thirty-seven years in clinical practice.
Dr Brett Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 497 5828).
