COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. All pulmonary fibrosis (PF) patients should consider themselves extremely vulnerable. Learn about shielding and how to protect yourself.
COVID-19 is caused by a virus called coronavirus. Anyone can catch COVID-19 if they have been in contact with someone carrying the virus.
You are at greater risk of becoming very ill with COVID-19 if:
- you are over 70;
- you have a respiratory condition like pulmonary fibrosis;
- you are on immunosuppressant drugs (for example, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, methotrexate) or anti-fibrotic drugs (pirfenidone and nintedanib).
Initially, pulmonary fibrosis was not included on the list of conditions that put people at high risk from COVID-19. It is on the list now under category 4 and you should receive a letter, text or email from the NHS with advice on how to self-isolate and keep yourself well no matter where you live in the UK.
Even if you do not receive a letter or contact, we strongly advise you to follow the advice below anyway.
Essential advice
Preventing others from infecting you
We hope you have found this content useful
Our team is working hard on a daily basis to provide the latest and most up to date health advice concerning Coronavirus (COVID-19).
This page was originally published on 18 March 2020, and was last updated on 13th October 2020. This advice is updated as new information becomes available.