Photo: Colourbox.dk
This gives people at increased risk an overview of infection prevention measures and options for treatment.
Updated: 15 September 2023
For the vast majority of us, a covid-19 infection is mild and harmless, but some elderly and vulnerable people may become so ill that they need hospitalisation. It is still important, therefore, to take care of the vulnerable. The Danish Health Authority has provided much more information about people at increased risk here:
Covid-19 test, symptoms, and early treatment (sst.dk)
Whether you are at increased risk of becoming seriously ill from covid-19 depends, among other things, on whether you have other diseases or are otherwise weakened. There are also other factors that can be important, such as old age, in particular. The risk of becoming seriously ill from covid-19 will decrease once you are vaccinated.
Below you can see who is at increased risk of becoming seriously ill if they get covid-19.
Regardless of whether you are healthy or have chronic diseases and conditions, you are at increased risk.
Many healthy and fit people in this age group are not at increased risk, but if you have chronic diseases, for example, or mental and physical impairment, etc., then you may be at increased risk. Old age increases the risk of severe illness.
Very few are at increased risk, but people in this age group with certain chronic diseases, hard-to-control chronic diseases, overweight with BMI of 35 or over, and/or impaired immune systems are considered to be at increased risk.
Children and adolescents with severely impaired immune systems or other serious chronic conditions may be at increased risk. For these children, special precautions were also in place before the covid-19 epidemic, e.g. special conditions in connection with schooling/day care. These children are usually monitored in special outpatient clinics, and thereby receive individual assessment and advice. Due to their young age, even seriously ill children will normally have a mild covid-19 infection.
Residents of care homes are at increased risk as they are often elderly and have chronic diseases, disabilities and fragile health.
Pregnant women are at increased risk - not only the pregnant woman but also the unborn child.
For a detailed description of who is at increased risk, including descriptions of which diseases and conditions are believed to cause an increased risk, see:
People at increased risk from covid-19 - Professional basis (sst.dk - in Danish)
If you are unsure whether you are at increased risk, talk to your doctor.
If you already took special precautions in your everyday life before the covid-19 epidemic to avoid becoming infected with other diseases, e.g. due to an impaired immune system, you are still recommended to do so. The vaccines give good protection, especially against serious illness, but they are not 100% effective.
Good advice if you are at increased risk:
If you are infected with a new coronavirus, have symptoms and are at increased risk of serious illness, you may be in the target group for early treatment which may reduce the risk of serious illness with covid-19.
If you think you may be in the target group, it is important you contact your own doctor as soon as you have tested positive, as the treatment must be given soon after you have developed symptoms to have any effect.
It can be a positive PCR test, rapid antigen-test or self-test.
For more information: Covid-19 test, symptoms, and early treatment - Danish Health Authority (sst.dk)
Significant symptoms of covid-19 are symptoms such as fever, persistent cough and difficulty breathing where you also feel sick.
Your doctor has assessed that the treatment is safe for you
There may be situations where you cannot get early treatment even if you meet the criteria. For example, you may be given some medicine that must not be given together with the treatment for covid-19. You can talk to your doctor about what applies to you.
Early treatment of covid-19 (sst.dk - in Danish)
In order for the elderly and vulnerable to be taken care of, there are still a number of infection prevention measures in the area.
If you work in the health, social or care sector, it is important that you use protective equipment for those tasks it is recommended for.
You can do several things to protect your relatives who are at increased risk.
Read more about the Danish Health Authority's general advice to prevent infection (sst.dk)
From 1 October, everyone over the age of 65 can be vaccinated against influenza and covid-19. In addition, younger people who are at risk of a serious illness can be vaccinated against both diseases.
The Danish Health Authority recommends that you get vaccinated if you are over 65 or are at increased risk of a serious illness.
You can find more information here (information in Danish):
Disse personer anbefales vaccination mod influenza og covid-19 (sst.dk)
Invitation: Offer of vaccination against covid-19 and influenza (pdf)
The vast majority of people in the high-risk group can go to work as normal if the Danish Health Authority’s measures for preventing infection can be complied with at the workplace. If you are at particular risk and work, for example, at a location with a high risk of infection or which has a combination of risk factors such as certain chronic illnesses, or if you are severely overweight or pregnant, it may be necessary to take special precautions.
If needed, you can contact the doctor at the hospital or your own doctor to get a specific assessment of your risk at the workplace.
You can also talk to your employer about whether any changes need to be made to your work tasks or working conditions, so that infection is prevented as far as possible and you can feel safe when going to work. If you are in doubt about conditions at your workplace and your rights, etc., you can get advice from trade unions.
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