Am I High Risk for Covid19? I am a diabetic who had a septic blood infection 5 years ago.

[CathyUssery]

I had a septic blood disease 5 years ago which caused spots on my lung and my brain. I was hospitalized for 32 days over the course of three months. Typically IV antibiotics would cure this within six weeks but it took 24 weeks of hardcore IV antibiotics through a PICC line. Does this make my immune system more susceptible to catching the coronavirus at this time? I am a diabetic and it is completely under control now but since I was on such high steroids throughout my infection my retinas were completely destroyed and I am legally blind now. I don't leave the house very often.

[Emily_MHManager]

Do you have any remaining issues from the sepsis or lung issues?

If you don't, you are probably not at additional higher risk because of that. Can you make an appt with your doctor - any doctor you have? - and get a consult to see what they think?

I know it's scary. I'm high risk, too. Hang in there.

In any case, you're staying at home with the rest of us, and are taking care of your diabetes, which is awesome.

[Emily_MHManager]

Oh and don't hesitate to find some counseling. If you can, there are some great online options -

https://www.talkspace.com/

https://www.betterhelp.com/

Those are two of the bigger ones, but there are probably lots of local ones near you who would do online sessions, or FaceTime, etc.

[specialmom]

Gosh, I'm sorry you went through that.  I'm very happy you survived though as I lost my mom when she was only 52 years old to sepsis.  That experience probably was pretty terrifying and you don't won't to repeat with a near death experience over corona virus!  From what I've read, you need to make sure your diabetes continues to be under control.  Got enough medicine?  Make sure you have maybe a little extra.  We don't want to stress the system and 'hoard' it but at the same time, if anything happens to the supply chain, you are high risk so do not want to be without. I'd give your doctor a call.  I would absolutely follow every precaution because even controlled, having diabetes is a risk factor for a bad outcome with covid 19 and you want to be safe.  

[CHIN_C]

Those who are higher risk of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) include older adults as well as those with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and/or lung disease. In your case, diabetes increases your risk, but not leaving your house decreases your risk.

[CathyUssery]

I don't leave the house much because I can't drive anymore and I am extremely depressed because of losing my eyesight. I guess I could have worded my question a little better. I know being diabetic is a risk factor that I am only 45 and in general good health. I just didn't know if having such a horrible septic Issue 5 years ago would make my immune system more compromised today. I asked my doctor at the time if this is something that I have to look out for for the rest of my life and he said no. The doctor that I was seeing in the hospital is the top position in the state for infectious disease. He's still in practice but he is not taking phone calls about coronavirus because he is too busy taking care of the patients he already has. All I get is a message and not even an option to leave a message. I get it he is an excellent doctor and I'm sure he has a lot of sick patients to deal with.

[AnxiousNoMore]

You are doing all that can be done to protect yourself. I would not spend time trying to calculate odds from your sepsis encounter, since even if you know the answer  they can't be changed. All you can do is wait this out while protecting yourself  and assume your isolationist lifestyle keeps you free from Covid.