Who Is A Risk

[Chipchopper]

What people are considered to have a compromised immune system or have underlying illness that puts them at high risk category ?

[TheDevil]

The very young, the very old and then anyone who has a illness, ailment or disease that may compromise their lungs or immune system. Some underlying conditions that may not be known to be high risk are those with heart disease, lung problems/disease or diabetes.

[TheDevil]

If you have cystic fibrosis then you are at the greater end of risk. If you have cystic fibrosis I would recommend self isolating as much as possible and taking serious precautions.

[AuntPollyGrey]

The above plus people taking medication to lower their immune systems -those suffering from auto-immune diseases such as type 1 diabetes,Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis often have to take drugs that lower their white blood cell count.

[gness]

MrG had a kidney transplant. He took drugs to suppress his immune system to prevent the kidney being seen as a foreign body and rejected. He would have been very much at risk.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Most Cancer drugs lower the immune response too. Even taking Steroids can lower it.

[Apc2604]

Don't forget that long time stress and anxiety can significantly compromise your immune system.

[Robinia]

I'm over 60. Since having chemo (albeit many yrs ago) I wouldn't say I've caught more viruses than average but it takes me a long time to shake them off. I have fibromyalgia and a doctor told me a long time ago that any virus, especially during a bad flare up, would make me feel many times worse than it normally would.
So, I'd say I'm not high but a medium risk and certainly don't want this one.

[Apc2604]

I have Fibr

[Buenchico]

NHS sources are saying that the same groups people who are eligible for the seasonal flu vaccine are the ones who are at most risk of becoming seriously ill (or dying) if they contract Covid-19. [NB: There's no suggestion that the seasonal flu vaccine will protect against Covid-19. It won't. It's simply that the list of the most vulnerable people for seasonal flu is the same as the list of the most vulnerable people for Covid-19]

So the list of conditions mentioned on this page should go some way to answering your question:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/who-should-have-flu-vaccine/
(As I'm currently on chemotherapy, and taking steroid tablets, I'm obviously included in the 'at risk' category but I knew that anyway!)

[jno]

I don't know about the very young, TD. I'm not sure any under-10s have died at all.

[Buenchico]

My answer, above, seems to be largely confirmed by this latest Government advice:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults