Why young people need to be afraid of COVID-19

Older people are at increased risk for COVID-19. For this reason, those who are younger believe that they have nothing to fear. However, in fact, no one is immune from this virus, and any person, regardless of age, can end up in the hospital with serious complications. This is confirmed by data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to their recent reportSevere Outcomes Among Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - United States, February 12 – March 16, 2020, people between the ages of 20 and 54 accounted for 38% of the 508 hospitalized patients. 121 patients were admitted to the intensive care unit. Of this number, 12% are people aged 20 to 44. And of the confirmed deaths, 20% are patients from 20 to 64 years old.

Doctors confirm that the mortality rate increases with age, but this does not mean at all that young people have nothing to fear. COVID-19 is a serious disease. In mild to moderate cases, symptoms range from common symptoms of a cold to pneumonia. And this is the best scenario. In the worst case, the patient requires urgent hospitalization.

In order not to overwhelm the medical services and not be one of those who find themselves in the intensive care unit, do not neglect preventive measures and observe self-isolation. Your actions will help not only you, but also those who already need the help of doctors.