COVID-19 can cause mild to severe illness. In most cases the illness will be mild, however, some individuals are at greater risk of severe illness. Older adults and people who have serious underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and/or chronic lung diseases, are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and should get vaccinated to protect themselves and others. If you are older or have a serious underlying medical condition, please talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated as soon as possible. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and are the best way to protect yourself against the virus.

Other individuals with increased risk for severe illness include:

Pregnant Women

People with HIV

People with Asthma

Although it has been noted that overall children with COVID-19 infections have had a milder course of illness than older persons, a new severe illness has just recently been described that seems to be affecting a few infected children. This new illness is being called the “Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children” (MIS-C).

MIS-C is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal (such as the stomach or intestines) organs. The causes of MIS-C are not yet fully understood, but many children with MIS-C had previously had COVID-19 disease. Though MIS-C can be serious and has resulted in some deaths, most children who have had this condition have recovered with medical care.

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For the latest information from our Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, click here.