When the COVID-19 virus spread, many people became concerned about whether they would be at risk, especially cancer patients, because cancer treatment can sometimes lower the body’s immunity. Therefore, to build a protective shield for our bodies, we need to understand the COVID-19 virus and know how to take extra care of ourselves.
“Low immunity” increases risk more than others?
The novel coronavirus 2019, or what we have known since early 2020 as the COVID-19 virus, is a pandemic that spreads through various vectors, including humans, animals, and objects, especially from humans who expel droplets from coughing or sneezing, leading to over a million infections worldwide today.
Especially if someone’s immunity is low and they get infected, the chance that the virus will damage the lungs and other organs increases, which is often the case for the following groups:
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- Elderly group
Data shows that most deaths from the coronavirus are in the 60-80 age group, with lung health problems as a contributing factor. This is related to the coronavirus targeting the respiratory system and lungs, so the older you are, the higher the chance of death.
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- People with underlying diseases
People with underlying diseases are considered a high-risk group with at least 5 times higher chance of contracting the coronavirus than the general population, especially cancer patients who cannot protect themselves from the virus as well as normal people due to weakened immunity. This means losing key defenders that help prevent infections in the body inevitably. That is why cancer patients need to take extra care of their health.
5 Ways to Care for Cancer Patients Amid the COVID-19 Situation
Many may already know that during the period when cancer patients have just received chemotherapy or high doses of radiation therapy, their immunity is at its weakest. This makes cancer patients more vulnerable to all kinds of infections than the general population, not just the COVID-19 virus.
Besides basic prevention such as wearing masks, frequently washing hands with alcohol gel (70%) or soap (at least 20 seconds), eating hot food, and using personal utensils, there are also self-care methods that cancer patients need to consistently follow to reduce their high risk to the lowest possible level with these 5 health care tips:
- Stay at home as much as possible
- Avoid contact or close proximity with people who have respiratory symptoms or cold-like symptoms
- Prepare enough medicine and medical supplies for long periods at home
- Avoid unnecessary visitors
- Designate only one caregiver for the patient
“Fever and dry cough” don’t ignore it. The Phyathai medical team is here for you.
Amid the current crisis we all face, awareness rather than panic is important because following measures and taking full care of your health is the best protective shield at this time.
Especially cancer patients need to be much more aware than others and regularly monitor their health. If you have a high fever of 37.5 degrees Celsius, dry cough, or runny nose for several days, or experience nausea, vomiting, or other unusual symptoms that you have never had before, patients should not ignore these signs and should consult or see a doctor.
As soon as you feel abnormal symptoms causing discomfort or unease, the Phyathai 1 medical team is ready to consult and care for you wholeheartedly. We are “here… for you” in every situation.
