COVID-19 is a virus that can affect your lungs and airways. Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) patients are considered extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. There are things you can do to reduce the risk of infection.
You can catch COVID-19 if you have been in close contact with someone who is infected. When a person with the virus coughs, sneezes, breathes or talks, they release droplets into the air. These droplets contain the virus and can be breathed in. You can also pick up the virus by touching surfaces that carry the droplets.
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 take immunosuppressant drugs (for example, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, methotrexate) or antifibrotic drugs (pirfenidone and nintedanib)
Reduce your risk of catching COVID-19
- Keep up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.
- Wash your hands regularly, especially after touching shared surfaces, after coughing or sneezing, and before eating or drinking.
- When washing your hands, ensure you take at least 20 seconds and use soap and water. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol hand sanitiser.
- Consider asking your employer if you can work from home.
- Avoid touching your face without first washing your hands.
- Avoid contact with people who have symptoms of COVID-19.
In public spaces
- Consider using a face covering.
- You may want to try staying at least 2 metres away from others.
Preventing others from infecting you
