Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, our country has come together to protect our loved ones and the most vulnerable people in our communities.
Coronavirus causes symptoms which primarily affect the lungs and airways. This means that people who already have pre-existing conditions which affect the lungs will be at a much higher risk of developing more severe symptoms and complications from the illness.
High risk patients therefore include people who have asbestos-related diseases, including for example, mesothelioma and lung cancer. This is due to a patient having a lower lung function or having a weakened immune system as they are undergoing courses of chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiotherapy for example.
Avoiding the risk
The government and medical experts have urged people who are classed as ‘high risk’, including patients suffering from asbestos-related diseases, to stay at home at all times. It has been recommended that high risk patients follow this advice until at least the end of June 2020.
As well as this, social distancing and maintaining a high level of personal hygiene is extremely important. It is advised that high risk patients have friends or family to help deliver food or medicine. High risk patients are also advised to have a ‘hospital bag’ prepared in the event that a hospital visit is required.
The symptoms of coronavirus are, but not limited to, a continuous cough, a fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, shaking, headaches, muscle pain and a loss of taste or smell.
Asbestos-related disease symptoms vs Coronavirus symptoms
Some of the aforementioned symptoms can also be symptoms which are common to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.
It is therefore important to be extra cautious in minimising the risk of coming into contact with the illness by following government guidelines and reducing personal exposure as much as practicable.
If you already suffer from a continuous cough due to having a pre-existing condition such as mesothelioma, it is important to identify any changes in your cough, or the occurrence of any new symptoms, and to contact your doctor if anything seems different.
How can we help?
If you have been historically exposed to asbestos and require assistance in pursuing an asbestos disease claim or believe you have a valid claim for any other disease and want to speak to one our specialist Industrial Disease solicitors, please telephone 01244 312 306 or email law@oliverandco.co.uk.
