There are already 2,023,650 cases of coronavirus worldwide. Some of them are in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. A number is in their senior years. Others are infants and kids. No matter how you see it, no one is exempted from it. But did you know experts say certain people are more at risk of getting it?
SENIORS
"We know immune systems change with age, making it harder for you to fight off diseases and infection, even if you're otherwise fairly healthy", explains Michael Hochman, M.D. Hochman is the Director of the Gehr Family Center for Health Systems Science and Innovation at Keck Medicine of USC in Los Angeles.
The World Health Organization seconded the study explaining how risky it is for older people to be infected with the coronavirus. According to the agency, for people who are 80 years and older, about 15 percent have died. Those in their 70s, about 8 percent. For seniors of ages between 60 and 69, 3.7 percent, as reported by Consumer Reports.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE UNDERLYING CHRONIC DISEASES
"When you have an underlying chronic condition, it can make it harder for your body to fend off and recover from infection", Hochman added. This situation makes it harder for those who are suffering from diabetes, cardiovascular illnesses, hypertension, and other chronic diseases to fight off the coronavirus, and this could put their lives at risk no matter their age is.
PREGNANT WOMEN
There is still insufficient information when it comes to the impact of the new coronavirus on pregnant women, the possible increase of its risk or the dangers for possible severe symptoms once become infected. Due to not enough data, experts are advising pregnant women to take extra precautionary measures when it comes to protecting themselves from the virus.
In the United Kingdom, pregnant women are declared vulnerable to the virus. The government decision is based solely on past experiences that show how pregnant women can be at risk of other viral infections, as explained in Harvard Health Publishing of Harvard Medical School.
SMOKERS
Smoking can cause negative impacts on the body big time. Aside from causing different serious illnesses such as cancer and emphysema, smoking can open the roads for people to be more at risk of the virus and eventually suffer worse due to it. This situation pushes experts to inspire more people to quit smoking now. Though it might surely be hard, the assured it will all be worth it.
