MORE INFORMATION

COVID-19 can make anyone seriously ill. But for some people, the risk is higher.

For most people at elevated risk from COVID-19 vaccination has significantly reduced this risk of serious outcomes and you can now follow the same advice as everyone else on how to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19. But some people continue to be at high risk from COVID-19, despite vaccination.

You or your child may continue to be at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, despite vaccination, if you have:

  • Down’s syndrome
  • Certain types of cancer
  • Sickle cell disease or other conditions affecting your blood
  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 or 5
  • Severe liver disease
  • Had an organ or bone marrow transplant
  • Certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease)
  • HIV or AIDS and have a weakened immune system
  • A condition affecting your immune system
  • A rare condition affecting the brain or nerves (multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Huntington’s disease or myasthenia gravis)
  • A severe problem with the brain or nerves, such as cerebral palsy
  • Severe or multiple learning disabilities (or you’re on the learning disability register)
  • A weakened immune system due to a medical treatment (such as steroid medicine, biological therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy)

You may be advised to take extra steps or follow additional advice to protect yourself from COVID-19.

Research shows there are other factors that can make you more likely to get seriously ill from COVID-19, including if you are:

  • Aged 60 or over – your risk increases as you get older
  • You are pregnant – more guidance here
  • Not vaccinated against COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against getting seriously ill from COVID-19 if you are aged 60 or over, pregnant or unvaccinated.

If you are pregnant the data shows that vaccination will protect you and your baby –  protective antibodies developed from vaccination can transfer from mother to baby across the placenta, and after birth through breast milk, helping with the baby’s immunity to COVID-19.

If you, your child or someone you live with continues to be at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, you may be eligible for:

There is also extra advice on keeping yourself safe if you’re at high risk from COVID-19.

BMI is a useful ‘rule of thumb’ but it has its limits. Factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, and muscle mass can influence the relationship between BMI and body fat. For example, muscle is denser than fat, so very muscular people such as athletes may be a healthy weight, even though their BMI is classed as obese.

This is because BMI cannot distinguish between excess fat, muscle, or bone mass, nor does it provide any indication of the distribution of fat among individuals.  Your ethnic group can also affect your risk of some health conditions. For example, adults of South Asian origin may have a higher risk of health problems such as diabetes with a BMI of 23, which is usually considered healthy.

If you’re concerned about your weight, you should talk to your GP.

While we make every effort to ensure all the information in this document is accurate and up to date at the time of writing, much of the subject matter is changing rapidly. This document has been developed with the intention of providing information only. First Option Safety Group Ltd accepts no responsibility for use of the information provided. The information is as comprehensive and accurate as possible, but it can only be of a general nature and should not be used as a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional.

First Option Safety Group Ltd, its subsidiaries, directors, employees and agents cannot accept responsibility for the references referred to, or the information found there. All the references are provided for information and convenience only. A reference does not imply an endorsement of its information. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by First Option Safety Group Ltd , its subsidiaries, directors, employees and agents; likewise, not referring to a particular product or entity does not imply lack of endorsement.

First Option Group Ltd, its subsidiaries, directors, employees and agents do not make any representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability or validity of this information herein and do not accept any liability for any loss or damage howsoever caused arising from any errors, omissions or reliance on any information or views contained herein to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.

Nothing in this document constitutes medical advice. We are not a health service provider or laboratory, nor do we provide any medical tests, or equipment, therefore we are not responsible for any result or information on the Services carried out by any third-party Testing Providers.

Infection Timeline

TIME FROM POINT OF INFECTION [RANGE IN BRACKETS] – SYMPTOM ONSET USUALLY 2-4 DAYS AFTER INFECTION

0days

[1.7-2.2 days]

DETECTABLE

THROAT SWABS

0days

[1.7-3.2 days]

DETECTABLE

NASAL SWABS

0days

[7.4-10.2 days]

CLEARED

THROAT SWABS

0h

[8.7-10.7 days]

CLEARED

NASAL SWABS

THE VIRUS IS DETECTABLE IN THE THROAT ~2 DAYS BEFORE THE NOSE BUT IT IS DETECTABLE FOR LONGER IN THE NOSE – AND AT HIGHER LEVELS.

28 DAYS FROM INFECTION 33% OF NASAL SWABS AND 11% OF THROAT SWABS WILL STILL TEST POSITIVE ON PCR.

VIABLE VIRUS CAN’T BE DETECTED AFTER 12 DAYS FROM INFECTION IN THE NOSE AND 11 IN THE THROAT – OR 10 DAYS FROM SYMPTOM ONSET.