Common question
What does it mean to be immunocompromised?
Being immunocompromised means having a weakened immune system, and many diseases and medications can cause this. If you're immunocompromised, you may be at higher risk of getting severe COVID-19 disease. Immunocompromised people can get the COVID-19 vaccine, but it may not be as effective in some people.
Are people with autoimmune diseases considered high risk for COVID-19?
Researchers have reported higher rates of severe COVID-19 and death in people with autoimmune disease than in the general population. It is unclear whether this is attributable to the autoimmune disease, the immunosuppressive medications taken to treat it, or both.
How long are immunocompromised people contagious during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Does asthma make you "immunocompromised" in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Is there a COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised patients?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with a number of professional societies, endorse SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for the immunocompromised population. Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines also recommend a third dose of an mRNA vaccine for severely immunocompromised patients.
Are recovered persons with persistent positive test of COVID-19 infectious to others?
Persons who have tested persistently or recurrently positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA have, in some cases, had their signs and symptoms of COVID-19 improve. When viral isolation in tissue culture has been attempted in such persons in South Korea and the United States, live virus has not been isolated. There is no evidence to date that clinically recovered persons with persistent or recurrent detection of viral RNA have transmitted SARS-CoV-2 to others.
Despite these observations, it’s not possible to conclude that all persons with persistent or recurrent detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA are no longer infectious. There is no firm evidence that the antibodies that develop in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection are protective. If these antibodies are protective, it’s not known what antibody levels are needed to protect against reinfection.
How long is someone with COVID-19 infectious?
Infectiousness peaks around one day before symptom onset and declines within a week of symptom onset, with an average period of infectiousness and risk of transmission between 2-3 days before and 8 days after symptom onset.
Are asthma patients at higher risk for developing severe illness from COVID-19?
Are asthmatic adults more likely to experience severe COVID-19 outcomes?
There have been several reports indicating that adults with severe asthma might have an increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes, namely hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death.
What is the threat of COVID-19 to people with asthma?
Should you get the Covid vaccine if you have an autoimmune disease?
Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I have an underlying condition?
Can taking immunosuppressants increase my chances of getting COVID-19?