COVID-19: Who You Protect by Wearing a Mask and Social Distancing

Certain groups of people are at a higher risk of experiencing severe health complications from the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This makes it essential for others to do their part in stopping the spread of the disease to help keep them safe, Here’s what you should know.

People Who Are At Higher Risk of Severe Illness

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals who are at higher risk health complications from COVID-19 may include but are not limited to:

• Asthma: the virus can cause asthma attacks and has the potential to lead to pneumonia and other respiratory illness.
• Lung disease: COVID-19 has the potential to cause flare-ups of chronic lung diseases.
• Diabetes: Those with abnormally high blood sugar levels can have a harder time overcoming the virus.
• Serious Heart conditions: COVID-19 can cause damage to your respiratory system, limiting your heart’s ability to function properly.
• Kidney disease: Dialysis patients are more prone to health complications due to their weakened immune systems, treatments that prevent organ failure and coexisting conditions.
• Liver disease: Many of the medications used to treat COVID-19 take a toll on the liver, making it more dangerous for those already living with chronic liver diseases, People with liver disease also have weakened immune systems.
• Obesity: Being severely overweight increases your risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and can hinder the effectiveness of respiratory support if they become severely ill.
• Adults 65 and older: Older people have weakened immune systems, making it harder to fight off infection. They are also more likely to already be living with some form of chronic illness.
• Immunocompromised: People who have weakened immune systems have a harder time fighting off viral infections.

How You Can Keep Others Safe

The best way you can help to protect these individuals from contracting COVID-19 is by wearing a cloth face covering and remaining at least six feet from others in public spaces. While you may not be at risk from serious health complications from this viral infection, you can help keep the other members of our community healthy and safe.

Valley Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources

At Valley Health, we are dedicated to putting the health and wellness of our community first. We are closely working with the CDC, Virginia Department of Health and West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources. If you have respiratory symptoms or think you have been exposed to COVID-19, please call your doctor.

All Valley Health practices, including family medicine, specialty practices and Valley Health Urgent Care and Quick Care centers, are offering telehealth virtual visits. To learn more about seeing a doctor from the comfort of your home, visit www.valleyhealthlink.com/telehealth.

For more COVID-19 related updates, please visit www.valleyhealthlink.com/COVID19.