COPD is associated with higher COVID-19 mortality: Risk factors and Prevention

by Shaifali Patidar

December 28, 2020

Last updated on February 15th, 2023 at 04:20 am

COPD and COVID: Nowadays, Corona-virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a growing infectious illness that is radically multiplying globally in the year 2020. COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) is a common, unrelenting impairment of the lung linked to airflow limitation.

Nearly 251 million individuals all over the world are getting affected by COPD. Based on a 2020 report of 140 individuals with COVID-19, experiencing the symptoms of COPD does not make individuals any more susceptible to catch the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

On the other hand, if an individual with COPD gets in contact with the virus, they might be more prone to get hold of problems like breathlessness. This implies the greater need of hospitalization as well. Regardless of this, as per one specialist from the European Lung Foundation observed that a majority of individuals having COPD might experience no or mild signs and moreover make an overall recovery.

Covid-19 and COPD — COPD and COVID19 Mortality Rate

Risk Factors associated with COPD and COVID:

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Individuals suffering from COPD are observed to be at a higher risk of respiratory disease, which may involve those that corona-viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, cause. This is due to the reason that existing damage to the lungs can further deteriorate other respiratory ailments, which include those that corona viruses may give rise to.

Individuals suffering from COPD can take added safety measures in order to help prevent themselves from contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus as well as developing COVID-19. It is most vital to stay home unless for necessary trips. Time to time hand washing as well as keeping a clean home also aids in preventing the spread of viruses.

COPD and COVID 19 Symptoms:

Common signs of COVID-19 may include fever, cough, problems while breathing, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, chills as well as new loss of taste or smell. Individuals are likely to develop any of these signs 2 to 14 days after exposure to novel corona-virus.
While, the symptoms of COPD are very much similar to COVID 19 which includes increased breathlessness, a continual chesty cough with phlegm that does not fade away, recurrent chest infections as well as continuous wheezing.

In COVID 19, many of these signs are generally mild, and approximately 80% of individuals who get the virus will classically recover without requiring any special treatment. Yet, about 1 in 6 patients become severely ill as well as develop breathing troubles.

COPD and COVID 19 Life Risk:

Being a current smoker or experiencing breathing ailments such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are found to be associated with a higher risk of serious complications as well as higher death risk from COVID-19 infection, as reported in a research study.

COPD is a common, continual dysfunction of the lung linked with a restricted airflow. In spite of the low frequency of COPD as well as smoking in COVID-19 instances, COPD and current smokers were found to be associated with higher COVID-19 severity and mortality,” the researchers added.

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General Preventive Measures:

People can follow some of these preventive measures in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19:

Wash your hands frequently with soap, both the front and back of the hands as well as fingers for at least 15 to 20 seconds. Or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
Avoid close contact with any person who is ill. (It is recommended to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet, or 1.8 meters).
Disinfect objects as well as surfaces you touch more often.
If you are feeling ill, stay at home.
Make use of a tissue for covering your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze and dispose of it appropriately afterward.

You may also read the preventive measure during covid-19 advised by WHO.