'High Risk Person'

[EggysMom]

Sorry to start another thread but my post in the 'Worries' thread has got buried.

Can somebody please direct me to a sound/reputable source for who would be classed as a high risk person, presumably those immuno-compromised but with a clear description of what that means?

No link but from what I’ve read; over 65 with chronic health conditions that affect the cardiovascular system or respiratory system. Those would be heart disease, lung disease and includes diabetes.

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html
They include kidney disease as well

If you have common sense, you would know what it means. I have a child who has weak immune system due to illness. Nothing really different from normal precautions. They are more likely to get it, and if they get it, it will likely to be more severe than normal healthy people.

I know what I think it means. But I may get challenged on this at work, that's why I was asking for an actual definition from a reputable source.

@Stormyjupiter there’s no need to be so snarky. Some diseases are most severe in young healthy people (swine flu comes to mind), some are most severe in old people, some are dangerous to particular organs/organ systems. Each virus will have a specific profile of an ‘at risk’ person.

Why would you get challenged? you have a symptom but trying to turn up to work ?
Problem is, no one knows the truth about it yet. Everyone is afraid. Most reliable source has to be the one from the gov. It's kind a easy to look up.

ReginaBanbina, do you have any family member who are actually really ill so they are at risk for many? I didn't mean to be snarky at all, just stating the truth, after my dc spending 3 birthdays at the hospital due to simple cold.

I have type 1 diabetes. Could anybody explain to me why I’m more at risk if I catch COVID19? I get why with respiratory illnesses, asthma etc but why diabetes?

just diabetes has effects on your blood vessels and kidneys and infections in diabetics tend to be more severe.

@fallfallfall I thought the higher risk was for all people with conditions regardless of age? And then separately, being over 50 or 60 (seems to be some uncertainty over minimum age) increases your risk.

@EggysMom I've seen various media reports talk about "underlying conditions such as respiratory, cardiac, diabetes, and a weakened immune system". Here's the WHO advice. www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

People on immuno-suppressant medication with lymphocyte count less than 0.85.

Ie clinically significant lymphopenia. People with clinically significant neutropenia (not sure of level)

@Ramalamalama just wondering where you got that info from? DP is on immunosuppresant medication (azothiaprine) and I have been wondering just how much more "at risk" he is . No idea what his lymphocyte count is...

Sorry to hijack your thread op..

The way I understand is, that the people with health issues are at more risk. Which is understandable. They are more vulnerable and prone to suffer the worst. But that's only when they get it.
Recent craze post about CV, people saying they are more vulnerable because they have xx, which isn't really true. They won't get it unless they are exposed. JUst because you have chronic illness doesn' make you more vulnerable, unless you are exposed. But What I think is, people are being dramatic and silly, without real info.

@Stormyjupiter but surely (and I have zero medical qualifications so appreciate this may be wrong) if you are immunosuppressed you are more likely to catch it from a small exposure than you would be if you have a strong immune system? No?

If you are at high risk of flu and respiratory infections.

Your doctor would have told you this when you were diagnosed

@BadCatDirtyCat I got that info from a blog by a clinician for people receiving medication for MS - I assume it applies to everyone taking immuno-suppressants: multiple-sclerosis-research.org/2020/03/covid-19-and-dmts/

Actually I've just realised that link says 1.0 is the crucial level for lymphocytes, I have read elsewhere that it's 0.85, can't remember where though sorry - I've been doing a LOT of research!! This has also been confirmed by clinicians treating me.

BadCat, it's true if you are exposed to the virus. But if you knew you are high risk, would you go to somewhere where you are likely to be exposed?
It's only you who can protect yourselves, or parents if its about children.

If you are worried about your health vulnerability in the office call 111 and ask for advice.

Okay, an explanation as to why I am asking (and I am not being dramatic and silly).

At the moment in the UK we really only have direct infection - people who have been to Wuhan, or Italy, or Iran and have caught it from somebody there. But at some point there will be a secondary infection, people who haven't travelled themselves but who catch it from somebody else who did travel but didn't self-quarantine immediately on return. And then a third wave of infection, and so on.

Whilst nobody is more likely than others to catch it, there are some for whom catching Covid-19 is more dangerous: those in the "higher risk" category. Therefore it makes sense for that small part of the population to be even more careful, to be more cautious, going forwards. They are probably more cautious in life anyway due to being susceptible to normal colds, flu; presumably there is some overlap with the subset of the population who get invited to have a flu jab.

So what I'm trying to determine, is the subset of the population for whom catching Covid-19 is more dangerous. Various websites and documents refer to this group as "high risk persons" without defining who is at high risk. My employer is putting in separate measures for those at high risk. I'm trying to work out whether I am in that category or not.

Thanks for the links posted so far.

Over 70.... risk of fatality rises from 2% to 8%
Over 80 .....risk of fatality rises to 15%
Immunosuppressed
Cardio vascular disease
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Respiratory illness: eg: COPD, Ashtma, Cystic fibrosis.

@Ramalamalama - thank you I will take a look

That's not an exhaustive list but the ones listed on our HSE website ( ireland )

Worldometers has stats on death rates, it's very much higher in the elderly especially those with pre-existing conditions. No deaths in under 9s at all.

www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-age-sex-demographics/

I think you would know if you were in a high risk group. The high risk people have to take special precautions all the time because a cold or flu could be fatal. When you were diagnosed with whatever condition it is that made you high risk or prescribed whatever medication it is that makes you high risk you would have been advised. It won’t be news to them that they are at a higher risk.