Influenza in the elderly: More dangerous than you think!

Influenza is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. In particular, the flu in the elderly is often more severe because the patient’s immune system is weakened during the aging process.

Let’s find out the features of the flu in the elderly and how to prevent it in the following article.

Symptoms of the flu: Need to distinguish it from a cold

Flu symptoms usually appear 1 to 4 days after exposure to the virus. Some symptoms of the flu can be confused with a cold. Therefore, you need to distinguish these two diseases from each other.

Both colds and flu can cause the following problems:

• Have a runny nose
• Stuffy nose
• Sore throat.

However, if you have a cold, you may experience some of the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Body aches
• Chills
• Tired
• Exhausted
• Discomfort in the chest
• Headache.

If you are over 65 years old and experience any of the above flu symptoms, see your doctor right away. Early diagnosis and treatment will help reduce the duration and severity of the disease.

Complications of colds and flu in the elderly

Young people and people with healthy immune systems are less likely to have flu complications. In contrast, older adults are more likely to experience serious complications of the disease. According to statistics, up to 85% of flu-related deaths occur in people 65 years of age and older.

Two common complications when the elderly get the flu are bronchitis and pneumonia.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes. Symptoms of bronchitis may include:

• Coughing up yellow, gray or green phlegm
• Tired
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Chest pain.

Complications of pneumonia caused by influenza

Bronchitis can lead to pneumonia. This is an infection that causes inflammation of the air sacs in one or both lungs. Pneumonia can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and a severe cough.

In older people and with weakened immune systems, pneumonia can also cause people to feel nauseated, vomiting, confused, and have a lower body temperature than usual.

If pneumonia is left untreated, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause organ failure. A lung infection can also cause a lung abscess.

In addition to the above two complications, when suffering from the flu, the elderly can also suffer from sinusitis, ear infections, inflammation in the heart, brain and muscles. If you already have asthma or heart disease, the flu virus can worsen these chronic conditions.

How to treat colds and flu in the elderly?

Elderly people should seek medical attention within the first 48 hours of having flu symptoms. At this point, your doctor may give you antiviral medication to shorten the duration of the illness and reduce the symptoms of the infection. After 48 hours, antiviral therapy is less effective, but may still be indicated for patients at high risk of complications.

In addition, some over-the-counter cold and flu medicines can also help relieve symptoms. You can take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) as directed by your doctor to relieve pain and reduce fever.

It is important that you get plenty of rest to strengthen your immune system and help your body fight the virus better. Refer to 9 ways to treat flu at home quickly to get well soon.

If you experience complications, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics for you. Antibiotics help treat secondary infections, such as ear infections, sinus infections, bronchitis, or pneumonia. You may also need prescription cough suppressants as your cough gets worse and more frequent.

How to prevent flu?

Older adults 65 years of age and older should consider getting a flu shot every year. In addition to vaccinations, here are some tips that can help you protect yourself against the flu:

• Avoid crowded areas
• Wear a mask and stay away from people who show signs of illness when in public
• Wash your hands often with soap
• Do not touch your face, mouth or nose with your hands.
• Boost your immune system by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress.
• Regularly disinfect indoor surfaces and frequently touched items such as light switches, doorknobs, phones, toys, etc.

The flu in the elderly can lead to many dangerous complications. Therefore, you need to see a doctor as soon as you have the first symptoms of the disease. Besides, always pay attention to stay healthy and take proper preventive measures to prevent disease effectively.