Underlying health conditions that put you at risk of coronavirus

Some of the chronic conditions said to heighten the risk among patients are:

• Asthma
• Cancer
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – emphysema or bronchitis
• Primary Immumodeficiency (PID)
• Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
• Chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
• Diabetes
• Problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed
• HIV and AIDS
• Being seriously overweight (a BMI of 40 or above)

Coronavirus – Information if you have asthma or COPD

You should continue your treatment as normal and ensure you are taking your inhalers regularly as prescribed. If you haven’t been using your current prescribed inhalers you should restart them. You do not need to increase the use of your inhalers as a precaution or take extra blue inhaler just in case.

Instead follow the self-management advice and any action or management plans previously given by your nurse or doctor.

Unless this is already part of your management plan you do not need to be prescribed a rescue pack to take now as a precaution or keep at home just in case.

If you already have a rescue pack as part of your ongoing management you should only take this as previously advised by your nurse or doctor i.e. if you have worsening symptoms of your asthma or COPD. Due to the current Coronavirus situation though we advise you to contact your GP prior to starting any rescue pack for review.

Further information on managing your asthma can be found at www.asthma.org.uk

Further information on managing your COPD can be found at www.BLF.org.uk

Further information on Coronavirus can be found at phw.nhs.wales

Video Advice From Public Health Wales

Updated 25th March 2020