Specific Lung Conditions and COVID-19

With the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic being stronger than ever, if you suffer from a specific lung condition, you may be concerned about how COVID-19 will impact your life.

Read on to learn more about specific lung conditions and COVID-19.

Specific Lung Conditions

The following is a list of many known lung conditions, with the most common in bold:

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
Asbestosis
Aspergillosis
Asthma
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis Obliterans (Popcorn Lung)
Bronchitis (Acute)
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic Cough
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Coal Worker’s Pneumoconiosis (Black Lung Disease)
Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)
Coronavirus
COVID-19
Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia (COP)
Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI)
Emphysema
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Histoplasmosis
Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV)
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Influenza (Flu)
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
Legionnaires’ Disease
Lung Cancer
LAM
MAC Lung Disease
Mesothelioma
Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM)
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Pneumonia
Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lungs)
Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD)
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
Pulmonary Edema
Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF)
Pulmonary Hypertension
Respiratory Syncytial Cirus (RSV)
Sarcoidosis
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Silicosis
Sleep Apnea
Tuberculosis (TB)

Lung Conditions and COVID-19

If you suffer from any of the aforementioned ailments, you are not necessarily at a greater risk of contracting the coronavirus, but the symptoms associated with the virus may be more severe, and your risk of death may also be greater.

According to the American Lung Association, “People with serious underlying health conditions, including lung disease (e.g., asthma, COPD, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis) are not more likely to contract an infection, but they are more likely to have worse outcomes if they become sick with COVID-19.”

You are considered high-risk of developing COVID-19 if you fall within the following categories:

People aged 65+
People with serious underlying medical ailments, especially if they’re not controlled well, including:
- Heart condition
- Diabetes
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Severely obese
- Weak immune system
People who have gone through cancer treatment
People who have had a bone marrow or organ transplant
People with immune deficiencies
People with inadequately controlled HIV or AIDs
People who have had prolonged exposure to oral corticosteroids or other immune damaging medications

There are situational factors that can weaken your immune system and impact your susceptibility to COVID-19, including:

Smoking
Air pollution

Precautions For People With Weak Immune Systems

If you have any of the aforementioned ailments or a weakened immune system, it’s in your best interest to be extra diligent about COVID-19 preventative measures, including, hand washing, social distancing, and disinfecting. People with weakened immune systems include:

People suffering from an autoimmune disease
People who have gone through chemotherapy
People living with an organ transplant

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently recommended that you wear a cloth face covering when you go out in public, for instance, the grocery store, to limit the virus’ transmission.

However, commercial masks like the N95 mask are not recommended for regular wear because they are desperately needed by medical professionals who are caring for sick people.

The reason for wearing a mask is to prevent others from being exposed to your respiratory droplets from coughs, sneezes, and even talking. It’s probable that people who don’t exhibit symptoms are carriers, which means they can unknowingly cause the disease to spread.

Just to be clear, the CDC isn’t recommending that you wear a mask to protect yourself from contracting the virus, but rather, to protect others from being exposed to your germs.

The most effective way to protect yourself from contracting the coronavirus is to maintain social distancing, wash your hands obsessively, avoid touching your face, especially your nose, mouth, and eyes, and disinfect the frequently used surfaces around your home and vehicle.

While it may seem like common sense to discontinue the use of any medications that could compromise your immune system, this is not recommended. If you take certain medications regularly, the American Lung Association suggests that you continue taking your regular medications. If your condition worsens or becomes poorly controlled due to a lack of medications, you may be at an even higher risk of contracting an illness. Be sure to speak to your physician about your medications before you consider changing your routine.

Stay Out Of The Hospital

If you suffer from a specific lung condition, the best thing to do for your health in the age of the coronavirus is to stay home. The last place you want to be is in the hospital, where you’ll be exposed to all sorts of harmful germs. Avoid contact with other people as much as possible and don’t go near sick people under any circumstance. Continue taking your prescribed medications. Watch the air quality in your home and be sure to wash your hands obsessively. Remain connected to your physician regarding any changes in your symptoms so that if you do happen to contract COVID-19, you can work with your doctor to develop the treatment plan that’s best for you right away.