COVID-19 can affect anyone regardless of age or gender. However, COVID-19 is known to be more at risk of attacking people with certain medical conditions. In this group, COVID-19 also tends to cause more severe complications and symptoms.
Not everyone infected with the Corona virus will experience severe COVID-19 symptoms in the form of shortness of breath, chest pain, and high fever. There are some people with COVID-19 who only experience mild flu-like symptoms. In fact, there are also those who do not experience symptoms at all even though they are positive for the Corona virus.
If you experience symptoms of Corona virus infection and require a COVID-19 examination, click the link below so you can be directed to the nearest health facility:
- Rapid Test Antibodies
- Antigen Swab (Rapid Test Antigen)
- PCR
The percentage of deaths due to COVID-19 in the age group under 50 is relatively low. Based on information from WHO and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, severe symptoms and serious complications due to COVID-19 are more often experienced by elderly people and people with certain medical conditions, such as people suffering from chronic non-communicable diseases (PTM).
Why are PTM Patients Vulnerable to COVID-19 Infection?
Most non-communicable diseases are chronic in nature, that is, they occur slowly and can persist over a long period of time. In addition to lasting a long time, chronic diseases can also cause the patient's health condition to gradually decline, making them susceptible to infection.
According to several studies, people who are infected with the Corona virus and suffer from chronic diseases or comorbid diseases have a higher risk of experiencing severe and fatal symptoms, as is the case in the elderly.
This is because chronic disease causes the sufferer's immune system to weaken and it is more difficult to fight infection. As a result, the bodies of people with chronic diseases will be more susceptible to disease, including COVID-19 caused by Corona virus infection.
In addition, most people with chronic diseases have experienced organ damage. When exposed to the Corona virus, the damage to these organs can become more severe, so the symptoms of COVID-19 that appear can also be more severe.
What Types of Diseases Make Sufferers Vulnerable to COVID-19?
There are several diseases that are known to put sufferers at high risk of being infected with the Corona virus and experiencing COVID-19 with more severe symptoms, namely:
1. Chronic respiratory disorders
COVID-19 generally attacks the respiratory tract. Therefore, people who have chronic diseases of the respiratory tract, such as COPD and asthma, are at high risk of experiencing severe symptoms when infected with the Corona virus.
When infected with COVID-19, people with chronic respiratory diseases will be more susceptible to experiencing severe respiratory disorders, such as asthma attacks, pneumonia, or even respiratory failure, caused by a cytokine storm.
2. Cardiovascular disease
People with cardiovascular disease, such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and hypertension, generally have a poor heart condition and a weaker immune system. This makes sufferers of the disease vulnerable to suffering from COVID-19 with more severe symptoms.
Several reports have also stated that the risk of death from COVID-19 in people with cardiovascular disease is higher than previously healthy COVID-19 sufferers.
3. Diabetes
Uncontrolled diabetes over time can cause weakened immune systems and damage to various organs of the body. This is what makes diabetics more susceptible to COVID-19 and fatal complications due to Corona virus infection.
In addition, Corona virus infection is also seen to increase the risk of dangerous complications from diabetes, such as diabetic ketoacidosis and sepsis. These various complications of diabetes can increase the risk of death from COVID-19 in diabetics.
4. Kidney disease
Corona virus infections mostly attack the respiratory tract, but this virus can also damage other organs of the body, including the kidneys. Several reports have also mentioned that there are some COVID-19 sufferers who experience acute kidney failure, even though they have no history of kidney disease.
In addition, Corona virus infection is also known to be more at risk for people who have chronic kidney disease, routinely undergo dialysis procedures, or have had kidney transplant surgery.
5. Cancer
Cancer patients belong to a group at high risk of being infected with the Corona virus with severe symptoms and serious complications. This is because the immune system of cancer patients is not strong enough to fight infection.
The weak immune system of cancer sufferers can be caused by various things, such as interference with white blood cells or side effects of chemotherapy.
In addition to some of the diseases above, COVID-19 is also more at risk of attacking people with autoimmune diseases. This is because people with this disease will generally receive drugs that suppress the immune system, so that their immune system is weak and susceptible to infection.
What Should PTM Sufferers Do During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Patients with the above non-communicable diseases are advised to apply social distancing, which is now also called physical distancingto reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. If you must leave the house, limit the distance from other people at least 1.5–2 meters and avoid crowds or crowded places.
In addition, people with chronic diseases also need to regularly take medicines prescribed by doctors so that their disease can be controlled.
PTM sufferers also need to continue to live a healthy lifestyle to strengthen their immune system. This can be done by eating a balanced nutritious diet, diligently washing hands, reducing stress, exercising regularly at home, and staying away from cigarette smoke.
If you want to get a COVID-19 vaccination, patients with PTM should consult a doctor first. And remember, everyone can still be infected with COVID-19 even after getting the vaccine.
If you have any of the chronic diseases mentioned above and experience symptoms of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, especially if you have been in close contact with people who have or are suspected of having COVID-19, immediately contact a hospital or hotline COVID-19.
If you are still in doubt, you can check the risk of Corona virus infection or chat directly with the doctor in the Alodokter application. Through this application, you can also make an appointment with a doctor at the hospital.
