Cancer
Having cancercan make you more likely to get very sick 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.
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Chronic kidney disease
Having chronic kidney disease of any stage can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
Get more information:
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- National Kidney Foundation: Kidney Disease and COVID-19
Chronic liver disease
Having chronic liver diseasecan make you more likelyto get very sick from COVID-19.Chronic liver disease can include alcohol-related liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, and cirrhosis (or scarring of the liver).
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Chronic lung diseases
Having a chronic lung disease can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. Chronic lung diseases can include:
- Asthma, if it’s moderate to severe
- Bronchiectasis (thickening of the lungs’ airways)
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (chronic lung disease affecting newborns)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis
- Having damaged or scarred lung tissue known as interstitial lung disease (including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis)
- Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)
- Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs)
Get more information:
- COPD
- Asthma
- People with Moderate to Severe Asthma
- American Lung Association: Controlling Chronic Lung Diseases Amid COVID-19
Cystic fibrosis
Having cystic fibrosis, with or without lung or other solid organ transplant (like kidney, liver, intestines, heart, and pancreas) can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
Get more information:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: CF and Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Dementia or other neurological conditions
Having neurological conditions, such as dementia, can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
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Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
Having either type 1 or type 2 diabetes can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
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Disabilities
People with some types of disabilities may be more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 because of underlying medical conditions, living in congregate settings, or systemic health and social inequities, including:
- People with any type of disability that makes it more difficult to do certain activities or interact with the world around them, including people who need help with self-care or daily activities
- People with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- People with cerebral palsy
- People with birth defects
- People with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- People with learning disabilities
- People with spinal cord injuries
- People with Down syndrome
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- People with Disabilities
Heart conditions
Having heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, and possibly high blood pressure (hypertension) can make you more likelyto get very sick from COVID-19.
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HIV infection
Having HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
Get more information:
- HIV Infection
- Interim Guidance for COVID-19 and Persons with HIV
Immunocompromised condition or weakened immune system
Some people are immunocompromised or have a weakened immune system because of a medical condition or a treatment for a condition. This includes people who have cancer and are on chemotherapy, or who have had a solid organ transplant, like a kidney transplant or heart transplant, and are taking medication to keep their transplant. Other people have to use certain types of medicines for a long time, like corticosteroids, that weaken their immune system. One example is called primary immunodeficiency. Being immunocompromised can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 or be sick for a longer period of time.
People who are immunocompromised or are taking medicines that weaken their immune system may not be protected even if they areup to date on their vaccines. Talk with your healthcare provider about what additional precautions may be necessary when respiratory viruses are causing a lot ofillness in your community. Additionally, people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of updated COVID-19 vaccine. Because the immune response following COVID-19 vaccination may differ in people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, specific guidance has been developed.
Get more information:
- Types of Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases
- Jeffrey Modell Foundation
- Immune Deficiency Foundation
- Primary Immunodeficiency (PI)
Mental health conditions
Having mood disorders, including depression, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders can make you more likelyto get very sick from COVID-19.
Get more information:
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Shareable Resources on Coping with COVID-19
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Depression
- Mood Disorders
Overweight and obesity
Overweight (defined as abody mass index (BMI) is 25 kg/m2or higher, but under 30 kg/m2), obesity (BMI is 30 kg/m2or higher, but under 40 kg/m2), or severe obesity (BMI is 40 kg/m2or higher), can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. The risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases sharply with higher BMI.
Get more information:
- Overweight and Obesity
- Obesity, Race/Ethnicity, and COVID-19
- Obesity Action Coalition: COVID-19 and Obesity
Physical inactivity
People who do little or no physical activity are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 than those who are physically active. Being physically active is important to being healthy. Get more information on physical activity and health, physical activity recommendations, how to become more active, and how to create activity-friendly communities:
- Physical Activity
- Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition
- Move Your Way®
- Active People, Healthy Nation SM: Strategies to Increase Physical Activity
- National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability – Building Healthy Inclusive Communities
Pregnancy
Pregnant and recently pregnant people (for at least 42 days following end of pregnancy) are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people.
Get more information:
- Pregnant and Recently Pregnant People
Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
Having hemoglobin blood disorders like sickle cell disease or thalassemia (inherited red blood cell disorders) can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
Get more information:
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Thalassemia
Smoking, current or former
Being a current or former cigarette smoker can make you more likely to get very sick 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 and Tobacco Use
- Tips From Former Smokers
- Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking
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 very sick from COVID-19.
Get more information:
- Transplant Safety
- COVID-19 Resources for Transplant Community
Stroke or cerebrovascular disease
Having cerebrovascular disease, such as having a stroke which affects blood flow to the brain, can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
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Substance use disorders
Having a substance use disorder (such as alcohol, opioid, or cocaine use disorder) can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
Get more information:
- How to Recognize a Substance Use Disorder
- Drug Overdose
Tuberculosis
Having tuberculosis (TB) can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
Get more information:
- Basic TB Facts
- Public Health Emergencies
