Statement Just Released From Cancer.gov

If I have cancer, how can I protect myself?

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 or specific treatment for it. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Precautions for avoiding COVID-19 are the same as for other contagious respiratory illnesses, such as influenza (flu).

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyday preventive measures to help prevent the spread of respiratory infections, including:

• Avoid large social gatherings and close contact with people who are sick
• Avoid unnecessary person-to-person contact, such as handshakes
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; and before and after coming in contact with others
• Get a flu vaccine

CDC recommends additional actions to help keep people at high risk for developing serious complications from COVID-19 healthy in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, including:

• Stay home as much as possible
• Make sure you have access to several weeks of medication and supplies in case you need to stay home for prolonged periods of time
• When you do go out in public, avoid crowds
• Avoid cruise ship travel and nonessential air travel