All the evidence so far in 2020 and 2021, about the spread of coronavirus (“Covid-19”), is that older people with existing medical conditions are the most vulnerable to suffering and dying from this virus.
That makes it all the more important to take what steps you can, to do something to lessen these conditions, and also to avoid other infections like influenza and pneumonia, that could weaken your immune system.
Of course, you must take the opportunity to get a vaccine, but you should bear in mind that no vaccine so far has a 100% effectiveness, particularly as new variants of the virus emerge.
The most significant factor causing serious illness or death from Coronavirus is age, about which you can do nothing, but there are several conditions that increase risk, AND that can be addressed by you.
The statistics show that although anyone can catch coronavirus, it’s generally older people that die as a consequence. Even before the vaccine was available, it was rare for anyone under 60 to succumb.
However, the odds of dying, even for a 70-year-old, are actually very low, if the person is in good health.
In Italy, of the older people that died early in 2020, nearly all had some underlying medical condition.
• More than 99% of Italy’s coronavirus fatalities were people who suffered from previous medical conditions (about 25% had one condition, another 25% had two conditions, and 49% had three or more conditions)
• More than 75% had high blood pressure, about 35% had diabetes and a third suffered from heart disease.
A Vox.com article added that “These chronic illnesses can leave organs degraded and more vulnerable to infection.”
A development that is becoming of increasing concern is that of “Long Covid”, which are the long-term effects on a person who has been infected and has recovered. Most such people have no long-term problems, and also have a degree of immunity against further infection. But there are others not so fortunate.
How to reduce your risk?
If you’re in your 60s or older, while the pandemic continues, there are two important lines of defence.
- Take any vaccine that is offered to you. So far in 2021, ALL approved vaccines in the UK, Europe and the US eliminate serious problems involving hospital admission and death, even if you do catch the virus and experience some symptoms.
- Follow the advice given by the health authorities worldwide on regular hand washing, use of antibacterial/viral sanitizer, social distancing, and isolating yourself from anyone displaying symptoms.
Link to my post on “Blood Pressure”
Link to my post on “Diabetes”
Link to my post on “Heart Disease”
Link to my post on “Vitamin D and Coronavirus“