Medical Conditions
- This list is presented in alphabetical order and not in order of risk.
- CDC completed an evidence review process for each medical condition on this list to ensure they met criteria for inclusion on this list. CDC conducts ongoing reviews of additional underlying condition and some of these conditions might have enough evidence to be added to the list.
- As we are learning more about COVID-19 every day, this list does not include all medical conditions that place a person at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Rare medical conditions, including many conditions that primarily affect children, may not be included below. The list will be updated as the science evolves.
- A person with a condition that is not listed may still be at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19 than people of similar age who do not have the condition and should talk with their healthcare provider.
Cancer
Having cancer can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. Treatments for many types of cancer can weaken your body’s ability to fight off disease. At this time, based on available studies, having a history of cancer may increase your risk.
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Chronic kidney disease
Having chronic kidney disease of any stage can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
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Chronic liver disease
Having chronic liver disease, such as alcohol-related liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and autoimmune hepatitis, and especially cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
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Chronic lung diseases
Having chronic lung diseases can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. These chronic lung diseases may include:
- Asthma, if it’s moderate to severe
- Bronchiectasis (thickening of the lungs airways)
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (chronic lung disease affecting newborns)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis
- Having damaged or scarred lung tissue such as interstitial lung disease (including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis)
- Cystic fibrosis, with or without lung or other solid organ transplant
- Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)
- Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs)
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- COPD
- Asthma
- People with Moderate to Severe Asthma
- American Lung Association: Controlling Chronic Lung Diseases Amid COVID-19 external icon
- Cystic Fibrosis
Dementia or other neurological conditions
Having neurological conditions, such as dementia, can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
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Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
Having either type 1 or type 2 diabetes can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
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Down syndrome
Having Down syndrome can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
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- Down syndrome
- Global Down Syndrome Foundationexternal icon
- National Down Syndrome Society: COVID-19 and Down Syndromeexternal icon
Heart conditions
Having heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, and possibly high blood pressure (hypertension) can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
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HIV infection
Having HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
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Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)
Having a weakened immune system can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. Many conditions and treatments can cause a person to be immunocompromised or have a weakened immune system. Primary immunodeficiency is caused by genetic defects that can be inherited. Prolonged use of corticosteroids or other immune weakening medicines can lead to secondary or acquired immunodeficiency.
People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be protected even if they are fully vaccinated. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.
Some people with moderately or severely compromised immune systems should receive an additional primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
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