People who are older have a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and the risk increases with age. People who have existing chronic medical conditions also may have a higher risk of serious illness.
Medical conditions known to increase the risk of severe illness include:
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
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Serious heart diseases
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Cancer
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Type 2 diabetes
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Obesity or severe obesity
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Smoking
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Chronic kidney disease
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Sickle cell disease
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Weakened immune system from solid organ transplants
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Pregnancy
Other conditions may increase the risk of serious illness, such as: Asthma; chronic lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis or pulmonary fibrosis; weakened immune systems from bone marrow transplant; HIV or some medications; liver disease; brain and nervous system conditions; Type 1 diabetes and high blood pressure.