What are you doing if you are in a vulnerable group?

[SylvanianFrenemies]

I'm diabetic and take medication for another condition, the medication has immune suppressant qualities.

I'm generally healthy apart from the above.

I work for the NHS but my role is zero use in combating Coronavirus. I have bits and pieces I can do working from home, but obviously not my clinical work.

Not sure if I should expect to be at work?! Feel guilty about prospect of being off, but equally don't want to take serious risks. Wondering how others would approach it/are approaching it. Media coverage seems to assume that there are no barriers to social distancing/self isolation if you are in an at risk group!

Following. I have bad asthma and cant work out if Im supposed to hide for 3 months or carry on as usual!

I know! Think I would prefer the hide option, but not sure how bad the risk really is..

Dh is on injections for his arthritis which affect his immunity. He is currently working mostly from home with just occasional client or supplier visits.

If he gets ill he plans to stop his injections so that his immunity goes up and hopefully deals with the virus, as he feels he would rather have the arthritis pain than the virus!

I am similar to you, diabetic and also on immunosuppression meds for another condition. At the moment, I have a cold and am working from home. I already had a word with my boss about working from home for a while and I think I will do that for at least the next two weeks. I work in IT so that's fortunately not an issue. Apart from that, I have ensured I have a month in hand of medical supplies (thanks Brexit...). But I don't know what to do regarding the immunosuppression and and thinking of asking my clinic about it. The problem is, even if I stop them now, it'll take months to be back up to full immunity, but my disease symptoms will come back within a week, so that's the dilemma.

I am really worried for a member of my family who is young but immunosupressed because of a condition. She works on the frontline nhs........ (think critical care and theatre).

I have bad asthma and my daughter was born very prematurely so she has a weak immune system. DH and I are worried but we have to carry on as normal and hope for the best.

I have told my mother (diabetes) to stay at home. It's an 8% death rate.

My parents are vulnerable and apart from shopping and urgent medical appointments I’ve advised them to avoid going out. There’s been cases at their local hospital which is worrying so I’m really praying and hoping that they don’t need to go in for anything. I’m being incredibly hygienic and making sure my kids are too, I don’t know what else we can do.

I am immunosuppressed and am a nurse .I work in an out patient clinic in a private hospital in Ireland.
I imagine it will be stopped soon.
I am waiting to see where they will send me .I presume phone support or something like that
My rheumatologist has advised to continue with meds.
Some autoimmune meds have been used in the management of the body's response to the effects this virus has on the lungs.
Please dont stop your medication without medical advice

I won't be stopping my meds as they are life-preserving, not optional!

The 8% death rate for diabetes is scary. I understood too early to know, but I wish there was some clarity as to why i.e. Is it more people who also have cardiovascular issues, is it an immune system issue? Would help people (like me!) to understand personal risk

I hardly ever go out anyway so same as usual really.
I haven't worked for years because of brittle asthma anyway, plus osteoporosis and I had surgery for a heart condition last year.
I feel strangely unnafected because I don't do much, and don't have to worry about work/money. DD is 18 and doesn't live at home anymore, she'll be more affected as she's at college, she also has brittle asthma.
I missed a couple of shows last weekend which I'm still gutted about, but I was actually Ill with a chest infection, not self isolating, I'd have absolutely gone, though would think twice now.
Nothing at all planned until end of April which will most likely be cancelled anyway.

It's so weird that what everyone is talking about doing is my life.

I also wonder why diabetes is particularly risky - is it because of runaway high blood glucose and the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis?
I'm not going to stop my meds either unless advised to.

I have a low immune system due to a damaged spleen, I have to take penicillin daily for life, currently on maternity leave with a 4month old so I dont have to worry about work atm luckily.
I am not leaving the house, the only people I'm in contact with other than my baby is my dh and mum.

@ArkAtEee i thought maybe due to autoimmune issues. But just a guess. It would be helpful to know if existing control/HBA1c is relevant.

I'm on immunosuppressants but can't work from home. I work with the public so I'm washing my hands, when I can, using hand gel when I can (though haven't got much left) and am clinging to the hope that it will be enough.

I have a lung condition and two young DCs at nursery. It’s all very well saying “stay at home” but that would be pointless for me if my tiny little germ machines are still going to nursery. I feel like it’s all or nothing - go into hiding for 5 months with the whole household or carry on as normal (taking the precautions that everyone else is). I haven’t decided which to do yet!

I also plan to speak to my consultant for advice (if I can get hold of him).

I am.just going to work as normal. Doing nothing different.

One of the WHO reports specified 'uncontrolled diabetes'.

Another study I read on diabetes and MERS/ SARS (forget which) said better outcomes linked to a1c no higher than 7% or 8% and spend as much time under 7.8 as possible.

I'm type 1 and really cutting back going out and about, and trying to completely avoid public transport.

ArcAtEee it’s because you can’t combat germs, bugs and injury as easily; you don’t heal as quickly. Your body is constantly busy trying to deal with your blood sugar levels. Look on DiabetesUk for further information.

We've decided to self isolate Lite i.e still nip in the car and take the dog for a walk in the woods. My Ds with severe asthma, and I have no spleen. We're doing this with 3 young kids, both DH and I hoping to work from home, taking the sibling fights in shifts.

@PutYourBackIntoit are you keeping the kids at home full time as well?

I have Asthma and T2D. Needed steroid treatment for an asthma flare 2 weeks ago and my T2D is currently uncontrolled because diet and exercise stopped working for me. I’m now on my 3rd type of meds for it and very possibly heading towards Insulin.
My employer did individual risk assessments for those who declared underlying conditions and as from tomorrow I’ll be working from home.
I’m probably also going to self isolate but haven’t decided for sure yet.

Fortune enough to be retired Had my biologic infusion today. Was advised to stay in as much as possible. I’m also over sixty.

Relaxing at home. I'm only in a vulnerable group because of my age, I don't think there is anything wrong with me (at the moment).