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What You Need To Know

People of any age with the conditions listed below are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccines (initial doses and boosters) and preventive measures for COVID-19 are important, especially if you are older or have multiple or severe health conditions including those on this list.
Approved and authorized COVID-19 vaccines (initial doses and boosters) are safe and effective and should be administered to people at higher risk including people with underlying medical conditions.
This list does not include all possible conditions that place you at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If you have a condition not included here, talk to your doctor about how best to manage your condition and protect yourself from COVID-19.

Overview
Medical Conditions
Additional Information on Children and Teens
Actions You Can Take

Overview

People of any age with the following conditions are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. Severe illness means that a person with COVID-19 may:

Be hospitalized
Need intensive care
Require a ventilator to help them breathe
Die

In addition:

Older adults are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. More than 81% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people over age 65. The number of deaths among people over age 65 is 80 times higher than the number of deaths among people aged 18-29.
The risk of severe COVID-19 increases as the number of underlying medical conditions increases in a person.
Long-standing systemic health and social inequities have put various groups of people at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19, including many people from certain racial and ethnic minority groups and people with disabilities.
- Studies have shown people from racial and ethnic minority groups are also dying from COVID-19 at younger ages. People in minority groups are often younger when they develop chronic medical conditions and may be more likely to have more than one condition.
- People with disabilities are more likely than those without disabilities to have chronic health conditions, live in congregate settings, and face more barriers to healthcare. Studies have shown that some people with certain disabilities are more likely to get COVID-19 and have worse outcomes.

COVID-19 vaccines (initial doses and boosters) and preventive measures for COVID-19 are important, especially if you are older or have multiple or severe health conditions. Learn more about CDC's COVID-19 vaccination recommendations, including how medical conditions and other factors inform recommendations. If you have a medical condition, learn more about Actions You Can Take.

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 cancercan 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.

Get more information:

Cancer | CDC
American Cancer Society: What People with Cancer Should Know about Coronavirusexternal icon

Chronic kidney disease

Having chronic kidney disease of any stage can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

Chronic kidney disease
National Kidney Foundation: Kidney disease and COVID-19external icon

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.

Get more information:

Liver Disease | NIDDK (nih.gov)external icon
American Liver Foundation: Your Liver & COVID-19external icon

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)

Get more information:

COPD | CDC
Asthma | CDC
People with Moderate to Severe Asthma | CDC
American Lung Association: Controlling Chronic Lung Diseases Amid COVID-19 external icon
Cystic Fibrosis | CDC

Dementia or other neurological conditions

Having neurological conditions, such as dementia, can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

Dementia | CDC
Alzheimer's Association: COVID-19, Alzheimer's and Dementia external icon

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.

Get more information:

Diabetes | CDC
American Diabetes Association: How COVID-19 Impacts People with Diabetesexternal icon

Down syndrome

Having Down syndrome can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

Down syndrome | CDC
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.

Get more information:

Heart Disease | CDC
COVID-19 | American Heart Associationexternal icon

HIV infection

Having HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

HIV Infection | CDC
Interim Guidance for COVID-19 and Persons with HIVexternal icon

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 with moderately to severely compromised immune systems should receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after the second dose.

Get more information:

Types of Primary Immune Deficiency Diseasesexternal icon
The Jeffrey Modell Foundationexternal icon
Immune Deficiency Foundationexternal icon
Primary Immunodeficiency (PI) | CDC

Mental health conditions

Having mood disorders, including depression, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

NIMH » Shareable Resources on Coping with COVID-19 (nih.gov)external icon
NIMH » Depression (nih.gov)external icon
Mood Disorders | MentalHealth.govexternal icon

Overweight and obesity

Overweight (defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m² but < 30 kg/m²), obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² but < 40 kg/m²), or severe obesity (BMI of ≥ 40 kg/m²), can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. The risk of severe COVID-19 illness increases sharply with elevated BMI.

Get more information:

Obesity | CDC
Obesity, Race/Ethnicity, and COVID-19 | CDC
Obesity Action Coalition: COVID-19 and Obesityexternal icon

Pregnancy

Pregnant and recently pregnant people (for at least 42 days following end of pregnancy) are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people.

Get more information:

Pregnant and Recently Pregnant People | CDC
Toolkit for Pregnant People and New Parents | CDC
Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 during Pregnancy | CDC

Sickle cell disease or thalassemia

Having hemoglobin blood disorders like sickle cell disease (SCD) or thalassemia can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

Sickle Cell Disease | CDC
Thalassemia | CDC

Smoking, current or former

Being a current or former cigarette smoker can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. If you currently smoke, quit. If you used to smoke, don't start again. If you've never smoked, don't start.

Get more information:

Smoking & Tobacco Use | CDC
How to Quit Smoking | Quit Smoking | Tips From Former Smokers | CDC
Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking | CDC

Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant

Having had a solid organ or blood stem cell transplant, which includes bone marrow transplants, can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

Transplant Safety | CDC
COVID-19 Resources for Transplant Communityexternal icon

Stroke or cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood flow to the brain

Having cerebrovascular disease, such as having a stroke, can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

Stroke | CDC
COVID19 Stroke Podcast Series for Patients and Caregiversexternal icon

Substance use disorders

Having a substance use disorder (such as alcohol, opioid, or cocaine use disorder) can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

How to Recognize a Substance Use Disorderexternal icon
Drug Overdose | Injury Center | CDC

Tuberculosis

Having tuberculosis can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Get more information:

Basic TB Facts | TB | CDC
Public Health Emergencies | TB | CDC

Additional Information on Children and Teens

While children have been less affected by COVID-19 compared with adults, children can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, and some children develop severe illness. Children with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness compared to children without underlying medical conditions.

Current evidence suggests that children with medical complexity, with genetic, neurologic, or metabolic conditions, or with congenital heart disease can be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Similar to adults, children with obesity, diabetes, asthma or chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, or immunosuppression can also be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. One way to protect the health of children not currently eligible for vaccination is to ensure that everyone who is eligible in a household is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Children, Teens, and Young Adults | CDC
COVID-19 Parental Resources Kit | CDC

Actions You Can Take

In general, the older you are, the more health conditions you have, and the more severe the conditions, the more important it is to take preventive measures against COVID-19 such as vaccination, wearing a mask, social distancing, and practicing hand hygiene. Please contact your state, tribal, local, or territorial health department for more information on COVID-19 vaccination in your area.

It is important for people with medical conditions and their providers to work together and manage those conditions carefully and safely.Get vaccinated for COVID-19 as soon as you can, including taking boosters if and when they are recommended for you. If you have a medical condition, the following are actions you can take based on your medical conditions and other risk factors:

Seek care when needed

Call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your medical conditions or if you get sick and think that you may have COVID-19. Discuss steps you can take to manage your health and risks.If you need emergency help, call 911 right away.
Do not delay getting care for your medical condition because of COVID-19. Emergency departments, urgent care, clinics, and your health provider or doctor have infection prevention plans to protect you from getting COVID-19 if you need care.

Continue medications and preventive care

Continue your medicines and do not change your treatment plan without talking to your healthcare provider.
Have at least a 30-day supply of prescription and non-prescription medicines. Talk to a healthcare provider, insurer, or pharmacist about getting an extra supply (i.e., more than 30 days) of prescription medicines, if possible, to reduce your trips to the pharmacy.
Follow your current treatment plan (e.g., Asthma Action Plan, dialysis schedule, blood sugar testing, nutrition, and exercise recommendations) to keep your medical condition under control.
When possible, keep preventive care and other routine healthcare appointments (e.g., vaccinations and blood pressure checks) with your provider. Check with your provider about safety precautions for office visits and ask about telemedicine or remote healthcare visit options.
Learn about stress and coping. You may feel increased stress during this pandemic. Fear and anxiety can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions.

Accommodate dietary needs and avoid triggers

Have shelf-stable food choices available to accommodate dietary needs based on your medical condition (e.g., kidney diet and KCER 3-Day Emergency Diet Planexternal icon, diabetic diet).
Know the triggers for your condition and avoid when possible (e.g., avoid asthma triggers by having another member of your household clean and disinfect your house for you or avoid possible sickle cell disease triggers to prevent vaso-occlusive episodes or pain crises).