Details:

Corporate Authors:
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (U.S.). Division of Viral Diseases.
Description:
Updated Oct. 6, 2020

Revisions were made on October 6, 2020 to reflect recent data supporting increased risk of severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19 among adults with COVID-19 who have obesity, who are overweight, or who smoke or have a history of smoking. These revisions also make the document more explicit about data and implications for adults and for children. The listed underlying medical conditions in children were also revised to indicate that these conditions might increase risk to better reflect the quality of available data currently. This reflects the fact that there are less data available for children and does not imply that children are not at risk. We are learning more about COVID-19 every day, and as new information becomes available, CDC will update the information below. ​

Adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19:

Adults of any age with the following conditions are at increased risk of severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19:

• Cancer

• Chronic kidney disease

• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant

• Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher)

• Serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies

• Sickle cell disease

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus

COVID-19 is a new disease. Currently there are limited data and information about the impact of underlying medical conditions and whether they increase the risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Based on what we know at this time, adults of any age with the following conditions might be at an increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19:

• Asthma (moderate-to-severe)

• Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)

• Cystic fibrosis

• Hypertension or high blood pressure

• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines

• Neurologic conditions, such as dementia

• Liver disease

• Pregnancy

• Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)

• Smoking

• Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)

• Type 1 diabetes mellitus

While children have been less affected by COVID-19 compared to 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. Children with the following conditions might be at increased risk for severe illness: obesity, medical complexity, severe genetic disorders, severe neurologic disorders, inherited metabolic disorders, congenital (since birth) heart disease, diabetes, asthma and other chronic lung disease, and immunosuppression due to malignancy or immune-weakening medications.

We do not yet know who is at increased risk for developing the rare but serious complication associated with COVID-19 in children called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), nor do we know what causes MIS-C. Learn about MIS-C.

The list of underlying conditions is meant to inform clinicians to help them provide the best care possible for patients, and to inform individuals as to what their level of risk may be so they can make individual decisions about illness prevention. We are learning more about COVID-19 every day. This list is not exhaustive and only includes conditions with sufficient evidence to draw conclusions; it is a living document that may be updated at any time, subject to potentially rapid change as the science evolves


Content Notes:
Reduce your risk of getting COVID-19 -- Venturing out into a public setting? What to consider before you go. -- Are you considering in-person visits with family and friends? Here are some things to consider to help make your visit as safe as possible -- If you are thinking about participating in an event or gathering -- Stay healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic -- If you have an underlying medical condition, you should continue to follow your treatment plan.
Subjects:
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Coronavirus Infections COVID-19 Risk Factors Vulnerable Populations
Document Type:
Webpage
Collection(s):
Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:511b630e0633d33349c4124e675bb509230dccad3e91ddfec93174669b9c79b8
Download URL:
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/94894/cdc_94894_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

• evidence-table.html

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