
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
If you live with others, it’s hard to keep separate from them. But you will reduce your risk of getting COVID-19 if you:
- Keep 2 metres (3 steps) away from other family members, sleep on your own and use separate towels and a separate bathroom, if possible
- Keep shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas well-ventilated and minimise as much as possible the time other family members spend in these areas.
- Clean any shared bathrooms every time they are used and try to use the kitchen at different times. Family cutlery and crockery should be washed well. Use a separate tea towel for the cutlery and crockery you use.
- Get everybody in the house to wash their hands frequently (20 secs with soap), avoid touching their faces and clean frequently touched surfaces.
Note: Shielding is for your personal protection. It is your choice whether to follow the advice. Individuals who have less than six months to live or some others in special circumstances, could decide not to undertake shielding.
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.