The Flu Risks For Senior Citizens

The Flu Risks For Senior Citizens

The flu, medically termed influenza is a potentially dangerous infliction that causes hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. Hospital visits peak during the winter months as the dreaded "flu season" strikes each year. Infecting the respiratory system, the flu can also affect the sinuses, throat, breathing, and stomach. For the younger generations the virus is typically a mere annoyance and inconvenience, but for the elderly, getting the flu can become a more threatening situation.
As a person gets older their immune systems become weaker and thus, less able to fight off viral infections including the flu. Where a person was once able to rid themselves of the flu in a couple of days, now older they find that it lingers on and sometimes bears a far worse experience. Senior citizens today must take precautions to protect themselves from influenza.

The Increased Effects Of The Flu
The symptoms that the flu brings are compounded for a person as they get older. Everyday living for the elderly has it's many challenges and the flu only makes matters worse. Fatigue, achy muscles, fever, dizzyness, and stomach upset all can make the elderly's situation more miserable. The threat of death is also prevalent . With the death toll at around 65,000 annually in the United States, nearly half of that number is represented by the older population 65 years and above. Obvious to say, with increased age comes greater risk of the influenza virus.

The risk is not just limited to the symptoms that the flu brings. Many chronic ailments relating to the heart, lungs, and kidneys may also be instigated or worsened by a battle with the flu. The risk of a problematic respiratory condition is possible also. The combination of a disease like emphysema with the flu could result in a major heath concern, or possibly even death for an elderly person.

Steps Toward Prevention
The first step for an elderly person should be to get and maintain a yearly influenza vaccination. The flu shot can be administered by needle or a nasal spray form, but getting one is imperative. The threat of the flu is reduced greatly if this precaution is taken. Many health insurance companies will cover this as it is considered good preventative medicine. Older persons should discuss an annual flu shot with their doctor.

Unfortunately, despite requiring a flu shot more, it has proven in some instances to be less effective for older persons than their younger counterparts. Nevertheless, getting the vaccination still can reduce hospitalization and death risks greatly, about 70 to 80 percent studies have shown. With this in mind, getting an annual flu vaccination should not be ignored.

An early fall checkup with their doctor should be done to discuss a flu prevention strategy. An elderly person needs ample time to get the vaccine and allow its' preventative properties to take effect in their bodies. A plan like this will afford the opportunity to discuss any complications that may result from the risk of the flu and any existing or possible afflictions that may occur.