Some people with long-term lung conditions are at extremely high risk of severe illness from coronavirus. We use your comments to improve our information. Learn more about the risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of IPF. It’s likely your GP practice and hospital specialist have changed the way they can work and consult you. If you’re concerned about your health and safety in the workplace, you should speak with your employer in the first instance. This usually means being on several different inhaler medications in the last year. During the first lockdown, certain people were advised to take extra steps - or shield - to avoid contracting Covid-19, because they were considered more at risk of needing hospital treatment. This data shows open data about the shielded patient list, and how it has been used. Scotland. Everyone is different, and your own level of risk depends on different factors. How big is the space? This page contains FAQ about Covid-19, from a sarcoidosis patient perspective. They are helping to control the inflammation in the lungs that can cause a flare-up of your symptoms. Introduction This guidance has been updated to support the clinically extremely vulnerable in protecting themselves from exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19). This is called shielding. But for some people, the risk is higher. Read our detailed information about your care. But if you have COPD, covering your mouth and nose can be challenging. Take a look at our COVID-19 vaccine FAQ, which will help answer some of the questions you might have. flare-ups, also called acute exacerbations, talking to your family in the current situation, technology can help you manage your health care in our guide. We would also like to express our support and gratitude to all the health- and key workers out there doing an amazing job to keep us safe in our time of need. This includes people with bronchiectasis who: There is currently no evidence that if you have active or latent TB, you're more at risk from COVID-19. What is the guidance for CEV people across the UK? Coronavirus shielding changes: New rules from today as people can finally hug Big changes are coming for the 2.2million people in England who are shielding - … You might have heard that in England, people on the shielded patient list will be offered a free winter supply of vitamin D. If you live in England and are clinically extremely vulnerable, you’ll be sent a letter offering you the supplements. In places where there is a very high risk from coronavirus, you may get a letter advising you to follow stricter advice. What should people with a lung condition do now? It’s important to get out for daily exercise and find ways to boost your mood, as this will help you stay fit and well. If you feel you can, you might want to discuss with those closest to you, and your health care professional, any wishes you have for your future care. Who should be in the clinically extremely vulnerable group? For some conditions, for example sarcoidosis, you shouldn’t take a vitamin D supplement unless it’s specifically recommended for you by your specialist. Can I be sat next to people I normally live with? COVID-19 coronavirus: what is shielding and who needs it? This is called advance care planning. You can change your mind at any time. Vaccination helps you build immunity to the virus, so your body will stop the infection more easily. We should all be doing what we can to prevent the spread of coronavirus to help protect ourselves and others. If you are on a high dose of steroid you should be given a steroid card from your GP. The more people you see, the more likely it is that you will catch or spread coronavirus. The best defence against complications of COVID-19 is for your lung condition to be as well controlled as possible. But if your lungs are extensively damaged or inflamed as a result of active TB or past TB, you may be more at risk of developing a chest infection after a coronavirus infection. You can also get support from these organisations: To understand more about your COVID-19 risk, including advice on how you can reduce the risk of catching the virus, take a look at this webpage. As well as a steroid inhaler, this must include two long acting preventers. The Scottish government has confirmed that for all levels they will not ask the shielding group to distance from people in their own household or stop doing exercise outside. Unlike at the start of the pandemic, advice for people in the shielding group might differ, depending on how affected the area you live or work in is. Severe COPD means that: You are too breathless to walk 100 yards It’s reasonable to ask ahead about arrangements, to help your decision. If you live with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable but you still need to go into work, take a look at this guidance from the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. This means following your self-management plan if you have one. New guidance for people with Crohn’s and Colitis on level of risk of complications from COVID-19, and what you should do as a result. How is pulmonary hypertension diagnosed and treated in children? The coronavirus (COVID-19) shielded patient list is enabling partner organisations across government to support and protect those who need shielding at this time. For example, for your annual review. Shielding updates – advice for clinically extremely vulnerable people. The more you socially distance from others, the less likely you are to catch COVID-19, work from home where possible. The number for this helpline is 0800 111 4000. Carol has emphysema, a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Download 15 page PDF. Would you like to keep in touch by email? There are 2 levels of higher risk: high risk (clinically extremely vulnerable) Below, we explain the new guidance and restrictions across the 4 nations and what it might mean for people in the shielding group. Shielding has been paused in Wales and Northern Ireland. Find out how we produce our information. Please confirm that we can keep in touch with you by email, We'll take good care of your personal info and you can update the way we contact you at any time - check out our privacy policy at blf.org.uk/our-privacy-policy to find out more. If you’re struggling and need support, you can contact the COVID-19 Community Helpline: People in the shielding group in Wales can still benefit from priority supermarket delivery slots if they don’t feel comfortable going to the shops. If you are on regular steroid tablets you should keep taking them as prescribed. What are the bathroom arrangements? If you’d like to see our references get in touch. If you’re unsure if you’re child still falls into this category, speak to your GP or hospital clinician. Coronavirus is a viral infection that affects the lungs. Lung functioning testing and assessments for treatments such as oxygen therapy may be postponed due to the current priorities. VAT number 648 8121 18. People who have been shielding in Scotland can continue to get updates from the SMS Shielding Service. This is a card that lets health care professionals know you take steroids at a high dose. If you use breathing techniques to help bring up sputum, continue to use them. If you have received a letter and have been prescribed either triple therapy or Roflumilast and think your COPD is not severe, talk to your GP or hospital specialist. This is because there are good records of prescriptions that people have received. Will it be possible to keep it well ventilated? Establish a COVID-19 hygiene routine for people entering home (i.e using hand sanitizer, handwashing, etc. We cannot reply to comments left on this form. The Scottish government is also developing a service that will tell you your risk of being exposed to the virus in your local area. For inhaled steroids a high dose is defined as more than 1000 micrograms of beclomethasone or equivalent. People with a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension are regarded as vulnerable. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people wear face masks in public. During the winter months, the NHS recommends taking a daily vitamin D supplement, as this helps to keep your bones healthy. We should all be doing what we can to prevent the spread of coronavirus to help protect ourselves and others. Age is the biggest risk factor, with those aged 80 and older at a greater risk of becoming seriously ill with coronavirus. You can change your mind at any time. Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Partnership is a company limited by guarantee 01863614 (England and Wales). This review was informed by NICE’s definition of severe COPD, which includes: Read more about what you should do if you live with COPD. Carry on taking your inhaled medications and any tablets and continue to use your nebuliser if you have already been given one, and prescribed medication to use in it, by your health care professional. Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Partnership is a company limited by guarantee 01863614 (England and Wales). Shielding was a way of protecting 'clinically extremely vulnerable' people who are at a very high risk of severe illness and needing to go to hospital if they catch coronavirus. 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