Why Corona-viruses Hit Older Adults Hardest
"Older adults are the demographic group that is more at risk for many of the common illnesses and disorders that happens with aging. They have to take the most precautionary measures to avoid or prevent some of these illnesses. Besides all of the well-known health issues of older adults, new infections and other disorders are coming into play at a rapid rate, and they all tend to affect the older population the hardest, and many times before an accurate or acceptable treatment is found. The latest of these harmful health conditions is Corona-virus. Home care Richmond brings you some updates;"
The Initial Story:
The Corona-virus originated in China and was introduced to the public in the latter part of 2019. The disease has already claimed the lives of more than 2,000 people mostly in China. The disease has caused the quarantine of thousands in the United States alone as well as hundreds aboard a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean. The most immediate threat is anyone coming into the country that has had contact with anyone in China. There have been a few cases in the United States, and the majority of these have been older adults who are proven to be more susceptible to this new disease than most other demographic groups
Older Adults Are at Serious Risk:
Older adults are at risk of infections mainly due to their weakened immune system. As the body ages, so do all of the systems in the body. The weakened immune system loses some of its ability to fight off infections, therefore the body does not have the proper defense mechanism that it needs. The Corona-virus infection is one that attacks the lungs which causes respiratory issues like pneumonia with symptoms that include fever, shortness of breath, and coughing. Reports from China indicate that the majority of the people who have contracted the disease are older adults who are at a higher risk especially if they already have a chronic health condition.
As people get older, the lungs lose some of their resiliency and elasticity. That coupled with other issues with health tend to attribute to the loss of airway function. The aging body has to fight harder to stay healthy, and pathogens can enter with little to no resistance which makes the Corona-virus so easy to attack older adults. Many seniors are already frail from the aging process that sometimes takes its toll on an aging body. When new infections attack the body of an older adult, they can be dormant for a period of time while doing damage that may not provide symptoms for a period of time.
Conclusion:
Older adults have more than their share of diseases and disorders that are common for the age group. When new viruses happen to a population, the older adults are the ones that are hardest hit because they are the ones with the weakest body and body systems. They are the ones who are less active, and may not have the best eating habits. Stay abreast of the Corona-virus, and observant of the older adult.
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