What is a chronic condition?
Chronic conditions and COVID-19
The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised that people with chronic conditions like HIV, diabetes, high blood pressure and TB could be at increased risk of contracting COVID-19, as their immune systems may be compromised, particularly if they are not on treatment or are not taking their medication as prescribed.
While our understanding of COVID-19 is limited, we do know that people with chronic conditions are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and they may have poorer treatment outcomes, especially if their condition is untreated or their treatment is interrupted.
The WHO advises that older people and people who have chronic conditions are more likely to become severely ill with COVID-19.
Within this context, people with chronic conditions should take extra steps to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection by taking their medication as prescribed, following strict social (physical) distancing, washing their hands regularly with soap and water or sanitiser, and wearing a cloth face-mask when out of the house.
Chronic conditions and COVID-19
The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised that people with chronic conditions like HIV, diabetes, high blood pressure and TB could be at increased risk of contracting COVID-19, as their immune systems may be compromised, particularly if they are not on treatment or are not taking their medication as prescribed.
While our understanding of COVID-19 is limited, we do know that people with chronic conditions are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and they may have poorer treatment outcomes, especially if their condition is untreated or their treatment is interrupted.
The WHO advises that older people and people who have chronic conditions are more likely to become severely ill with COVID-19.
Within this context, people with chronic conditions should take extra steps to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection by taking their medication as prescribed, following strict physical distancing, washing their hands regularly with soap and water or sanitiser, and wearing a cloth face-mask when out of the house.
Keep taking your treatment
It is vital for you to continue your treatment for a chronic condition as prescribed. You may be tempted to avoid going to a clinic to collect your medication, but now it is more important than ever to adhere to your treatment. When next you collect your medicine from the clinic, find out from the nurse if you qualify to enrol on the CCMDD programme − a convenient service that enables you to collect your medication from one of more than 200 collection points across Durban.
Keep taking your treatment
It is vital for you to continue your treatment for a chronic condition as prescribed. You may be tempted to avoid going to a clinic to collect your medication, but now it is more important than ever to adhere to your treatment. When next you collect your medicine from the clinic, find out from the nurse if you qualify to enrol on the CCMDD programme − a convenient service that enables you to collect your medication from one of more than 200 collection points across Durban.
So remember these four easy steps for living a long and healthy life:
So remember these four easy steps for living a long and healthy life:
With support from the U.S President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through the National Department of Health.
