13/03/2020

Potentially more vulnerable to the coronavirus as a survivor undergoing treatment

The coronavirus (Covid-19) poses extra health risks for those suffering from serious medical conditions. Are you currently undergoing treatment? Then, possibly, your immune system is weakened and you could be more vulnerable to infections. Therefore, you might be facing an increased risk. We therefore advise you to take extra precautionary measures.

If you need to be in hospital soon for treatment, we recommend you to contact your oncologist directly by telephone to ask what measures are currently in place in your hospital and what measures are being taken specifically for you. Your doctor knows your medical file best and can give you the best advice. Did you recently undergo treatment and are you not sure whether your immune system is back to normal? Then contact your oncologist and ask them for more info. 

These are some simple preventative actions you can take to help avoid the spread of the virus:
•    Stay home if you are sick.  
•    Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.  
•    Use paper tissues. Dispose of the tissues immediately after use and throw them away in a closed dustbin.
•    If you don’t have a tissue handy, sneeze or cough into the crease of your elbow.
•    Avoid shaking hands, kissing or hugging when greeting someone.  
•    Pay attention to vulnerable groups (people over 65 years old, diabetics, people with heart, lung or kidney diseases, children younger than 6 months, pregnant women, people with a weakened immune system ...).  
•    The coronavirus does not cause children to get seriously ill, but they can easily spread it. Therefore, contact between children and the elderly is not recommended.  
•    Avoid contact with people who are clearly ill and cough and keep enough distance.
•    Avoid poorly ventilated places with many other people.
•    If you are worried about your health, contact your doctor by PHONE.
•    If you think you might be infected with the coronavirus, do not go to the waiting room or emergency department.

Do you have further questions? Click on the link below, send an e-mail to info-coronavirus@health.fgov.be or call 0800 14689.

More info via the FPS Public Health website