Why is the flu so deadly in the elderly?

Why is the flu so deadly in the elderly?

Why flu is so deadly in the elderly: Older people’s immune systems ‘fail to detect infection so can’t mount a response’. Nine in ten deaths attributed to the flu each year occur in people over 65. Yale University study found pensioner’s late reaction was self-destructive. A drug that targets inflammation could prolong survival in older people.

Why do older people not get flu shots?

The traditional vaccine may not work so well in older people because of an idea known as immune senescence, which posits that as people age, their immune systems weaken, resulting in poor vaccine response, especially to inactivated strains.

How old do people have to be to die of the 1918 flu?

In contrast, people who die of the flu are usually under five years old or over 75. The factors underlying the virulence of the 1918 flu are still unclear. Modern-day scientists sequenced the DNA of the 1918 virus from lung samples preserved from victims. However, this did not solve the mystery of why so many healthy young adults were killed.

What to do for elderly with the flu?

A drug that targets inflammation – either by blocking neutrophils or pro-inflammatory enzymes known as inflammasome caspases – could prolong survival in older people with flu, she said. The study was published in the journal Science. The comments below have not been moderated.

Why are older people more at risk for the flu?

It has been recognized for many years that people 65 years and older are at high risk of developing serious complications from flu compared with young, healthy adults. This is in part because human immune defenses become weaker with increasing age.

What are the symptoms of the flu for a 65 year old?

CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have influenza infection or suspected influenza infection and who are at high risk for serious flu complications, such as people 65 years and older. Symptoms: Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

In contrast, people who die of the flu are usually under five years old or over 75. The factors underlying the virulence of the 1918 flu are still unclear. Modern-day scientists sequenced the DNA of the 1918 virus from lung samples preserved from victims. However, this did not solve the mystery of why so many healthy young adults were killed.

How to treat the flu in an elderly person?

Flu in Older Adults: Symptoms, Complications, and More 1 Overview. The flu is a seasonal virus that causes mild to severe symptoms. 2 The onset of flu symptoms can happen quickly,… 3 Flu complications aren’t as common in younger people… 4 How to treat the flu. If you don’t see a doctor within…