What does ‘immunocompromised’ mean, and what should people at risk of coronavirus do?
People with compromised immune systems, including cancer patients and people with HIV/AIDS, are at a higher risk from the coronavirus.
“Preliminary data suggest that older adults and persons with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems might be at greater risk for severe illness from this virus,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
More than 100,000 people worldwide have been infected with COVID-19, as the disease is now called, and almost 3,500 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the United States, more than 250 people have confirmed infections and 14 people have died.
There’s an estimated 10 million people with compromised immune systems in the United States, according to the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. So with an estimated 3.6% of the U.S. population immunocompromised, here’s what we know about how they’ll handle the coronavirus and how to stay safe.
What immunocompromised means
Immunocompromised, also known as immunosuppressed, means you have a weaker immune system than most, according to the National Cancer Institute.
“Patients who are immunocompromised have a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases. This may be caused by certain diseases or conditions, such as AIDS, cancer, diabetes, malnutrition, and certain genetic disorders. It may also be caused by certain medicines or treatments, such as anticancer drugs, radiation therapy, and stem cell or organ transplant. Also called immunosuppressed,” the institute says.
A weaker immune system means people could have a harder time fighting off the coronavirus.
“If you’re elderly, immunocompromised, or if you have other comorbidities such as heart disease, liver disease, you are at higher risk of developing severe pneumonia and dying from the disease,” said Dr. Charles Chiu with the University of California at San Francisco.
Cancer patients and the coronavirus
Cancer patients often have weakened immune systems because of the effects of cancer drugs or radiation.
The American Society of Cancer Oncology advises, “People with cancer and other chronic medical conditions may be at higher risk for the more severe form of COVID-19.”
“However, there are no special steps that people with cancer should take to protect themselves. Be sure to wash your hands well, and wash them frequently. Avoid touching your face, and avoid close contact with people who are sick,” the ASCO said.
According to the American Cancer Society, “Cancer patients are among those at high risk of serious illness from an infection because their immune systems are often weakened by cancer and its treatments. So, patients and their caregivers need to take precautions to lower their risk of getting COVID-19.”
HIV/AIDS patients and the virus
Researchers are not yet sure exactly if or how the coronavirus would impact a person with HIV or AIDS.
“We can only derive information from our experience with other viral infections, such as the seasonal flu caused by the influenza virus,” according to the Institute for Tropical Medicine in Antwerp.
The institute says patients who have stable HIV infections “do not seem to be more susceptible to infections with the influenza virus. However, if an HIV-infected person has low CD4 levels (or other underlying diseases), an influenza infection may be more severe. Finally, the viral load may temporarily increase during a viral infection, especially if the patient is not on HIV inhibitors.”
There’s not complete agreement on what coronavirus could mean for HIV/AIDS patients.
The British HIV Association said last week, “There is no evidence so far to determine whether people with HIV are at greater risk of COVID-19 acquisition or severe disease. The main mortality risk factors to date are older age and co-morbidities, including renal disease and diabetes.”
There are some laboratory tests that actually show some HIV antiviral medications may help with the coronavirus, the institute says. El Pais reports that a Spanish man recovered from COVID-19 after being treated with a popular HIV drug.
How to stay safe
There’s no vaccine for the COVID-19 virus, and experts say one may be months away from mass production.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest avoiding close contact with people who are sick, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, staying home when you are sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
The agency also advises washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
The CDC does not advise that healthy people wear face masks, but says they should be worn by coronavirus patients to help avoid spreading the illness.
This story was originally published March 6, 2020 at 4:08 PM with the headline "What does ‘immunocompromised’ mean, and what should people at risk of coronavirus do?."
