What are underlying health conditions?

Coolgran, snap! I'm like you with RA (immunosuppressive) and a heart condition into the bargain.☹️

However, as we have been able to post here, we have obviously managed to get through the pandemic so far, so not all doom and gloom!?
We just need to hang on in there.

I have COPD, controlled high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Plus other stuff Doomed indeed

I wondered about that too, Welbeck. It's an old thread and it has been picked up again, but the response doesn't answer the original question.

The OP asked for a definition for underlying health conditios.
One definitions is:
An underlying health condition is a chronic or long-term illness, which in turn weakens the immune system. This refers to a medical problem that is usually chronic or significant, and which usually requires long-term treatment.

In my opinion, the important words are, chronic and significant.

what's this about ?

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

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Any illness that has weakened the immune system. High blood pressure, diabetes, lung conditions including Asthma and heart conditions. Dr Asseem Malhatra was on Sky news this morning discussing this very issue. Obesity and high sugar levels in the blood caused through diet also add to the risks.

I wondered that too!
It wasn't necessary to put in the hyperlink.

Why has the poster named the care company and provided a link? Unlikely that a carer will keep a distance of 3 metres.
In case it’s not an advertising ploy, I hope your mother stays safe Samanta

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Forgive me if this has been posted already, there are so many threads on Coronavirus, I'm finding it hard to keep up. It is pretty comprehensive.
Public Health England have this on their website.

We are advising those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures.
This group includes those who are:

aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):
chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
chronic kidney disease
chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
diabetes
problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed
a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)
those who are pregnant
Note: there are some clinical conditions which put people at even higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If you are in this category, next week the NHS in England will directly contact you with advice the more stringent measures you should take in order to keep yourself and others safe. For now, you should rigorously follow the social distancing advice in full, outlined below.

People falling into this group are those who may be at particular risk due to complex health problems such as:

people who have received an organ transplant and remain on ongoing immunosuppression medication
people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radiotherapy
people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia who are at any stage of treatment
people with severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma (requiring hospital admissions or courses of steroid tablets)
people with severe diseases of body systems, such as severe kidney disease (dialysis)

From what Ive read. Underlying health conditions pertains to people who are eligible for a free flu jab in the Autumn/Winter.

I take 12 medications daily.
I guess that says it all.
Definitely in the vulnerable categories.

My Scottish dil talks of empire biscuits. Turns out they are what we call German biscuits.

I too have wonky health and I have to munch my tablets daily.
Looks like things are going to become awfully quiet here?

Wow! Anrol
Your family certainly drew the short straw health-wise. I'm sorry to hear that and hope you can all support each other, even just face-timing or at least daily contact of some sort.
Take care ?
Gabriella

Thanks for the link Marydoll. Yes, the recipe does appear to need to come with a warning. They look absolutely divine though so they will just have to be made!

Ooh Paddy Anne, ur MIL is definitely a keeper! Coconut truffles and a cuppa coffee with cream and i’m in heaven.. and Marydoll I must try ur cornflour trick with the empires! Any excuse to make another batch-think i’ll top next lot with chocolate buttons or maybe sprinkles.☺️

My MIL buys macaroon bars for us in Lees factory shop in Airdrie,sometimes she buys the misshapes and theres loads of coconut on it.Its one of the two sweeties I cant resist ,the other is liquorice allsorts .

Empire biscuit recipe. You need to scroll down to the bottom of the page to get the recipe. I usually substitute 2oz flour with 2oz cornflour.

www.christinascucina.com/empire-biscuits-classic-scottish-iced-cookies-with-raspberry-jam/

They should come with a health warning, but delicious.
Enjoy!

If you want the recipe, I will send it.
They are a family favourite!

henetha, depends on how many at the lunch and whether the illness is in your area. Lunch with a couple of friends who are also being careful, at a quiet venue in an area with few if any cases of corona virus, will probably be safe. But at the end of the day we all need to make our own decisions

Pussycat & Marydoll I can't believe that I've never heard of empire biscuits . Sounds like they, traditionally contain ? s too! How come I, of all people , lived all this time without knowing that! They also sound scrummy so I will have to make it my mission to find a good recipe.

Marydoll despite all I am laughing out loud.Our geography lecturer’s nickname in Notre Dame was Lofty Peak!! She was 6ft tall and clad in black/white. I know you will be able to picture that? I still have Mum’s book and several of her Bero recipe books.
Lovely memories ❤️

Thanks Marydoll, the advice to hold off your injection and phone your rheumatologist if you have symptoms, temp etc is standard isn't it.

I'm fortunate in having dogs who need to be walked twice a day so I'm out in the fresh air (rain and wind) which helps blow worries away