People Who Are ImmunocompromisedPeople Who Are Immunocompromised Show
Know how to protect yourself and what to do if you get sick Some people who are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system) are more likely to get sick with COVID-19 or be sick for a longer period. People can be immunocompromised either due to a medical condition or from receipt of immunosuppressive medications or treatments. Examples of medical conditions or treatments that may result in moderate to severe immunocompromise include but are not limited to:
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have another medical condition or are on medication that may not be reflected above. If you or someone you live or spend time with is immunocompromised, it is important to have a COVID-19 plan to protect yourself from infection and prepare for what to do if you get sick. Information on this page can help you build a COVID-19 plan for preventing, diagnosing, and treating COVID, so you know what to do and can act quickly if you’re exposed, develop symptoms, or test positive and when COVID-19 levels are increasing in your community. How to Protect YourselfStay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinationsCOVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting people—especially those who are up to date— from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and even dying. As with vaccines for other diseases, you are protected best when you stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines. The people you live or spend time with can help protect you and themselves by staying up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines too. You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines when you have received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for you, when eligible. Since your immune response to COVID-19 vaccination may not be as strong as in people who are not immunocompromised, you have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. To find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you: Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233. COVID-19 pre-exposure prophylaxisEVUSHELDTM is authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent COVID-19. It is a medicine containing antibodies and is given before you are exposed to or test positive for COVID-19. EVUSHELDTM continues to be authorized for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and may not be able to mount an adequate response to the COVID-19 vaccine, and for people who could have a history of severe adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine or its components. If you’re eligible for a vaccine, we encourage you to talk with your healthcare provider. EVUSHELDTM still protects people from getting COVID-19, but it may offer less protection against three strains (BA.4.6, BF.7, and BA.2.75.2) of the Omicron variant. Even if you receive EVUSHELDTM, you should continue to take the necessary steps to protect yourself and others, including undergoing testing and seeking medical attention if you develop symptoms of COVID-19, as well as starting treatment for COVID-19 as appropriate. Your healthcare provider will determine if you are eligible for EVUSHELDTM. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether EVUSHELDTM is the best option for you. Download: EvusheldTM EUA Fact Sheet for Patients, Parents and Caregivers Take extra precautionsEven if you stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and receive EvusheldTM, taking multiple prevention steps can provide additional layers of protection from COVID-19.
Know What to Do If You Get SickIt’s important to be prepared and know what to do if you get sick with COVID-19. Don’t delay seeking medical care. Be prepared by understanding the following steps: What you can do now
What to do if you were exposed to COVID-19
What to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms
What to do if you test positive for COVID-19Effective treatments are now widely available and free, and you may be eligible.
Learn How to Get Treatment QuicklyIf you test positive for COVID-19, oral antiviral and monoclonal antibody treatments are available for people who are more likely to get very sick. Learn more about COVID-19 treatment. Don’t delay: Treatment must be started right away to be effective. Talk to your healthcare provider about what treatment options are best for you. Antiviral treatmentsAntiviral treatments may help your body fight COVID-19 by stopping the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19) from multiplying in your body or by lowering the amount of the virus within your body. You can get a prescription from your healthcare provider or a Test to Treat location. Oral antivirals can be taken at home and must be given within 5 days after the first symptoms of COVID-19 appear. Monoclonal antibodiesMonoclonal antibodies can block the virus that causes COVID-19 from entering cells in your body, which can limit the amount of the virus within your body. These must be prescribed and administered by a healthcare provider within 7 days after first symptoms of COVID-19 appear.
Build Your Personal COVID-19 PlanMake a COVID-19 plan now so you’re prepared. Consider the ways you will protect yourself and how to be prepared if you get sick with COVID-19. Include how you will adjust your plan if the COVID-19 situation changes in your community. Your plan should include:
Talk with your family, friends, and healthcare provider about your planShare your COVID-19 plan with your family, friends, and healthcare providers so they can support your prevention and preparation steps. Consider how others may help you if you get sick and identify the supplies you may need. Be sure to stick to your treatment plans, your routine healthcare appointments, and have all your prescriptions filled. Plan for options for work, childcare, and other responsibilities that may cause stress if you were to become sick. COVID-19 remains a major health concern and this can be stressful to manage. Understanding what you can do to protect yourself and what to do if you get sick can help minimize that stress. Take as many steps as you can to prevent COVID-19 and get treated quickly if you test positive for COVID-19. What is the difference between immunocompromised and autoimmune?When your immune system fails to respond adequately to infection, it's called an immunodeficiency, and you may be immunocompromised. People may also suffer from the opposite condition, an overactive immune system that attacks healthy cells as though they were foreign bodies, and that is called an autoimmune response.
Do autoimmune diseases put you at higher risk for Covid?“It is apparent that people with autoimmune disease have problems fighting off COVID. They are at higher risk for catching COVID in the first place and at higher risk for more severe COVID because their immune system can't handle it once it occurs.”
Are autoimmune diseases considered immunodeficiency?Is immunodeficiency the same as autoimmune disease? Immunodeficiency disorders and autoimmune disease are not exactly the same. An immunodeficiency is an impairment of the immune system, whereas an autoimmune disease is when the immune system attacks the body's healthy cells, tissues and organs.
What considers you to be immunocompromised?You may be considered immunocompromised if you:
A bone marrow transplant, also called a stem cell or Hematopoietic cell transplant, within the last 2 years, or longer than 2 years if you are taking medicines to suppress the immune system.
|