Although all age groups are at risk of contracting COVID-19, older people face significant risk of developing severe illness if they contract the disease due to physiological changes that come with ageing and potential underlying health conditions.
Which groups are at highest risk for COVID-19?
Persons aged 75 years and older are at high risk of COVID-19 associated morbidity and mortality and experience the highest burden of COVID-19 hospitalization. Persons aged 65-74 years are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 with high rates of hospitalization.
Are older adults at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19?
The risk for severe illness with COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk.
Do healthy adults under age 65 need to worry about COVID-19?
Yes, they do. Although the risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19 increases steadily with age, younger people can get sick enough from the disease to require hospitalization. And certain underlying medical conditions may increase the risk of serious COVID-19 for individuals of any age.
Who is at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19?
Older adults and people of any age who have a serious underlying medical condition are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Why are older people at significant risk of COVID-19?
Although all age groups are at risk of contracting COVID-19, older people face significant risk of developing severe illness if they contract the disease due to physiological changes that come with ageing and potential underlying health conditions.
Do most people get only mild illness from COVID-19?
Most people who get COVID-19, the disease caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, will have only mild illness. But what exactly does that mean? Mild COVID-19 cases still can make you feel lousy. But you should be able to rest at home and recover fully without a trip to the hospital.
If both of you are healthy and feeling well, are practicing social distancing and have had no known exposure to anyone with COVID-19, touching, hugging, kissing, and sex are more likely to be safe.
Which group of children at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19?
Similar to adults, children with obesity, diabetes, asthma or chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, or immunosuppression can also be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Are people with serious underlying chronic medical conditions at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19?
All people with serious underlying chronic medical conditions like chronic lung disease, a serious heart condition, or a weakened immune system seem to be more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
How many cases of COVID-19 are severe and what are some of the health problems that can happen in those cases?
COVID-19: Complications including long-term damage to the lungs, heart, kidneys, brain and other organs is possible after a severe case of COVID-19.
What is a lesser known symptom of COVID-19 for seniors?
A new study suggests patients with coronavirus — particularly those over 65 — may present to healthcare settings with only symptoms of delirium rather than well-known signs of the virus like fever and shortness of breath.
