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
How do I get food, medicine and essential supplies?
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.