How does it feel to be immunocompromised in this pandemic ?
The emergence of every new wave of COVID-19 splashes the world with an advanced and fatal variant of the virus, be it delta or omicron.
While COVID-19 doesn't spare any segment of the population, chronically immunocompromised people (in simpler terms, people with a weak immune system) are just more vulnerable to developing severe symptoms.
Just imagine waking up every day amid this deadly pandemic to manage your chronic illness along with taking extra preventive measures than usual, and adapting to a new set of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines every now and then to minimise the chances of contracting the virus. Intimidating, right?
But don't let the panic set in: read through to the end to understand every bit of "How to Survive as a Chronically Immunocompromised Individual in this Deadly Pandemic."
It means to possess a weak immune system. When your body can't respond well enough to pathogens, you are said to be immunocompromised.
Being immunocompromised puts a patient at a much higher risk of developing any particular illness. It also increases the severity of symptoms that compound in an individual compared to a healthy immune system (Immunocompetent).
Some of the factors that can make you immunocompromised are:
Chronic conditions such as Diabetes Mellitus, Cirrhosis, Renal failure
Cancers such as Leukemias and myelomas
Treatments like chemotherapy and radiation
Auto-immune disorders such as Rheumatoid Arthritis
Medications like immunosuppressants
Bacterial and viral infections such as TB, AIDS, etc.
Age
Malnutrition
Smoking
Pregnancy
Stress
This can be risky if you haven't consulted your primary doctor.
All you need to do is take extra preventive measures such as washing hands very frequently and socially distancing yourself.
Staying home should be a priority because you would not want to take an inch of unnecessary risk when it's a matter of your immunocompromised health but we know this is not a long-term solution.
As the world opens up, and you are stepping out of the home, make sure to wear a mask at all times and grab a sanitiser.
Also, make sure to have an ample supply of your medications because you never know when they come in handy in such uncertain times.
According to CDC, all the different vaccines available are safe for immunocompromised patients, so getting those as soon as possible should be a priority.
Just book your appointment, and get yourself vaccinated. Continue taking safety measures as well. Remember that the vaccine doesn't offer 100% protection because it was designed to blunt the severity of the disease. This video will help you understand how this works:
Get that booster shot as soon as you are eligible!
As we know, immunocompromised individuals are the most vulnerable to contract the virus with grave severity.
But regardless of whether you are immunocompromised or not, it is always crucial to make specific healthy lifestyle changes that could put you in better health.
Here are some ways you can start:
Make dietary changes: Eat green vegetables; Eat healthy fats; Take probiotic supplements; Limit the consumption of sugars
Get good sleep of 8-9 hours
Light exercise such as a few stretches, jogging, push-ups can create a compounding difference
Take vitamin and minerals supplements, if required
Stay hydrated as much as possible
Regulate your stress levels
While it looks intimidating to manage your chronic illnesses and to survive the pandemic as well, the good news is you have made it successfully up till now!
You can do it! :)
An important message to all the healthy individuals out there is to not take your health for granted at all. Your contribution in bringing the pandemic to an end and making the lives of all the immunocompromised people can be so valuable.