This usually means being on several different inhaler medications in the last year. Things that are important to you are more likely to happen if you can share your wishes in advance. This includes: If you’re clinically extremely vulnerable, you should follow the government guidance stringently as you may be at risk of severe illness if you catch coronavirus. If you've benefited from this advice today, if you can, please make a small donation to help ensure we can give you the support you need now and in the future. You might be eligible to be furloughed – we would encourage you to talk to your employer to discuss your options. These inhaler technique videos show you how. In places where there is a very high risk from coronavirus, you may get a letter advising you to follow stricter advice. Find out more about how technology can help you manage your health care in our guide. Most children who were originally identified as clinically extremely vulnerable have been removed from the shielded patient list, and no longer need to follow the advice for this group. To work around this, letters have been sent to people with COPD based on the medications that they are taking. 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. If you'd like to be kept updated, please enter a valid email address. Get support to stop smoking from your health care professional or get in touch directly with NHS stop smoking services, who can help you by phone, video or email. People with a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension are regarded as vulnerable. Please visit PHA UK for more information. 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. You can change your mind at any time. It gives tips on things you should do when you come in from home. We cannot reply to comments left on this form. 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. It’s important you follow social distancing advice particularly carefully and continue to self-manage your condition well. 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. It’s important you follow social distancing advice particularly carefully and continue to self-manage your condition well. We will continue to make sure the voices of our supporters are heard, so everyone gets the support they need. This includes: People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell). This is applicable for all tiers. Stock up on every day supplies in your home. Others may get a letter following reviews by hospital specialists and GPs. If you have symptoms such as a high fever, dry cough or muscle pain, as they are less typical of a flare-up and may be symptoms of coronavirus, you should self-isolate. Who should be in the clinically extremely vulnerable group? Registered office: 18 Mansell Street, London, E1 8AA. detailed information about what you should do if you live with an ILD. Read our detailed information about your care. What should people with a lung condition do now? In this situation, doctors will need to give you extra steroids when treating you. People on immunosuppressive drugs for any reason should practise social shielding. How will I recover if I’ve had coronavirus? In Scotland, the national COVID-19 helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. We cannot reply to comments left on this form. Coronavirus vaccine. Some people with cancer may be at a higher risk of getting coronavirus (COVID-19). Registered office: 18 Mansell Street, London, E1 8AA. Not everyone with Crohn's or Colitis will have an increased risk of complications from coronavirus, but some may need to take extra precautions. Most people with severe COPD have got a shielding letter advising them to follow social shielding advice. They are helping to control the inflammation in the lungs that can cause a flare-up of your symptoms. What should people with a lung condition do now? If possible, ask someone to bring items to your home so you do not have to travel outside. If you’re concerned about your health and safety in the workplace, you should speak with your employer in the first instance. As well as a steroid inhaler, this must include two long acting preventers. VAT number 648 8121 18. These could be prescribed as either 3 separate medicines or combinations of single and dual or combination medicines or as triple therapy. But it isn’t the only factor that increases your risk. 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. She’s been shielding since March. You should also clean things like face masks, mouth pieces, spacers, nebulisers and peak flow meters regularly with washing-up liquid and following the manufacturer’s instructions. Due for review: December 2020. Please check back regularly – we will be updating this page as soon as new information is available. Establish a COVID-19 hygiene routine for people entering home (i.e using hand sanitizer, handwashing, etc. You should only go into work if you cannot work from home and your employer has made your workplace COVID-safe. If you live with COPD, you are at a higher risk of severe complications if you get COVID-19. These people belong to a group described as ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’. The Cystic Fibrosis Trust has developed guidance on what you can do to protect someone you live with who is clinically extremely vulnerable, if you have to leave the house for work or school. This advice is for people who have received a letter from the NHS or their GP saying they're at … These will be delivered free of charge to your home. You can also register for support from your local COVID-19 Mutual Aid Group. This will only apply to some Tier 3 areas, and you will be written to if you are advised to shield again. It remains essential to wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. 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 applies to people who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy for their lung cancer or mesothelioma or if they meet any of the criteria that are on the list under COPD. The more people you see, the more likely it is that you will catch or spread coronavirus. People who have been shielding in Scotland can continue to get updates from the SMS Shielding Service. ), but try to avoi… How can I improve the air quality in my home? Your support can help us to continue being there for everyone who needs us. Do not share your inhalers with anyone else. At this unprecedented time, we would like to extend our thoughts to everyone in the UK who has been directly affected by COVID-19 and to all of us who are grappling to come to terms with this rapidly changing situation. Children who live with parents or siblings who are shielding can return to school if they wish, but should speak to the shielded person’s sp… Talk to your health care professional on the phone or by video if you’re feeling anxious or depressed. You should only follow this guidance if you are contacted by the government. If you live in a tier 3 area and don’t have someone you can rely on to go shopping for you, you can register for support on the government website. Coronavirus and living with a lung condition, Guidance for the clinically extremely vulnerable. Advice for people at high risk from coronavirus (shielding) ... People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD. If you have concerns, contact your GP. 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 - … As the UK's leading respiratory charity, now more than ever before people need our help, yet COVID-19 has devastated our ability to raise vital funds. You can also take a look at our advice on dealing with your mental wellbeing if you have a lung condition and the Mental Health Foundation’s advice about coping at this time. What’s the difference between self-isolation, social distancing and social shielding? We desperately need support to continue when shielding is paused. How big is the space? Your living with a lung condition stories, Information for health care professionals, Stoptober: the 28-day stop smoking challenge, Putting on your Take Steps sponsored walk, Taking the first step: Millets’ guide to walking, Big Breakfast for schools - activity ideas, Top tips for organising a brilliant charity quiz, Incredible support from trusts and foundations, Gwybodaeth yng Nghymraeg / Welsh language health information, The Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Partnership, Why you'll love working with the British Lung Foundation, Thank you for supporting the British Lung Foundation helpline, Read why Dr Noel Baxter, a GP, suggests you should think about. Read more about, go outside for exercise, but try to avoid busy areas, avoid socialising indoors with people who aren’t in your household. Do this as soon as you get symptoms. Details of the support that’s available to you will be in the letter you’ve been sent by the government. Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM), Non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection (NTM), Connective tissue and autoimmune diseases, Pulmonary haemorrhage (bleeding into the lung). Check with your oxygen supplier to see how it will deal with COVID-19. If you’re feeling low, please take a look at our information on dealing with your mental health while living with a lung condition. In the last week, the pace of change of advice about COVID-19 - commonly just called coronavirus - has ramped up. The number for this helpline is 0800 111 4000. We should all be doing what we can to prevent the spread of coronavirus to help protect ourselves and others. It is useful in emergency situations, as your body may not produce enough natural steroids to help you deal with illness or injury. If you are on a high dose of steroid you should be given a steroid card from your GP. Age is the biggest risk factor, with those aged 80 and older at a greater risk of becoming seriously ill with coronavirus. If you'd like to be kept updated, please enter a valid email address. You can find out which tier you are in on the government website. Last medically reviewed: December 2020. You only need to shield if you get a letter. If you live in a level 4 area in Scotland and your employer cannot make your workplace COVID-safe, you can get a letter similar to a fit note for as long as your area is under level 4 restrictions. If you think there is a question missing, please fill in the form at the bottom of the page. The National Volunteer Prescription Delivery Scheme ended on 30 September, but if you need help getting your medicines you should speak to your pharmacy. We’re working hard to get more information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to you as quickly as possible. Below, we explain the new guidance and restrictions across the 4 nations and what it might mean for people in the shielding group. The number for this helpline is 0800 111 4000. Coronavirus vaccine: what people with lung conditions need to know. The measures are tailored towards supporting people with the highest risk of severe illness from the virus, as … Coronavirus: what it means for you if you have heart or circulatory disease Updated 15 December 2020. Read our detailed information about what you should do if you live with an ILD. Across all tiers, the guidance for people in the clinically extremely vulnerable category is: Within each tier, there is detailed  guidance for people who fall into the clinically extremely vulnerable category, relating to socialising, going into work, shopping and travel. If you have not received a letter, seek advice from your health care team. For example, some people develop severe bronchiectasis after extensive active TB and in that case, you are advised to practise social shielding, following the current guidance on severe bronchiectasis. Lung functioning testing and assessments for treatments such as oxygen therapy may be postponed due to the current priorities. Flu can be a serious illness, especially if you’re living with a lung condition. This is because there are good records of prescriptions that people have received. The best defence against complications of COVID-19 is for your lung condition to be as well controlled as possible. There are resources online to help you. This information uses the best available medical evidence and was produced with the support of people living with lung conditions. 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. 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