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These Are the Underlying Conditions That Could Put You at Risk For Severe COVID-19

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While anyone can contract the coronavirus, the question of whether you'll get a severe case of COVID-19 is on a lot of our minds. The CDC estimates that 40 percent of coronavirus cases are asymptomatic, and while that means you can still spread the virus and be in danger of the long-term side-effects, it goes without saying that an asymptomatic or mild infection is preferable to a case that lands you in the hospital. Based on what doctors currently know, there are a few underlying conditions that may make you susceptible to a severe case, and we'll go over them ahead. Remember that having one of these conditions doesn't mean you're 100 percent certain to contract a more serious case of COVID-19; instead, take this as another reminder that this disease can be life-threatening, and another reason to keep wearing a face mask and practicing social distancing to protect yourself and others.

Older People Have Higher Risk of Severe Coronavirus

"As you get older, your risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 increases," the CDC says. Eight out of 10 COVID-19-related deaths reported in the US have been people at or above the age of 65. People aged 85 or older have the highest risk for severe COVID-19.

According to infectious disease doctor Lisa Maragakis, MD, in an article for Johns Hopkins Medicine, this older people may be at higher risk because they're more likely to have long-term health problems, weaker immune systems, issues with lung tissue, and more severe inflammation, which can cause organ damage.

Medical Conditions With High Risk of Severe Coronavirus

Several medical conditions confer an increased risk of severe COVID-19, regardless of age, the CDC says. These are:

The CDC has also identified several other conditions that may convey higher risk of severe COVID-19, including moderate to severe asthma, cystic fibrosis, high blood pressure, liver disease, and smoking. You can see the full list of potentially at-risk conditions here.

If you have any of these conditions, the best thing to do is to continue with your current treatment, consult with your doctor, and take all recommended precautions against the coronavirus, including wearing a mask, social distancing, and staying away from public areas as much as possible.

POPSUGAR aims to give you the most accurate and up-to-date information about the coronavirus, but details and recommendations about this pandemic may have changed since publication. For the latest information on COVID-19, please check out resources from the WHO, CDC, and local public health departments.