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<h2>Elderly: High-Risk Group for Severe Influenza Symptoms</h2>
Influenza is caused by the influenza virus, which leads to acute respiratory symptoms. This disease has a high mortality rate among the elderly, especially those aged 65 and over. If the patient has chronic diseases such as lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or obesity, the risk of severe symptoms from complications, up to death, increases.
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<h2>Factors That Make the Elderly a High-Risk Group</h2>
When reaching the age of 60 and above, the body naturally deteriorates significantly. The risk increases due to the following reasons:
     1. Immunosenescence 
The immune system is a mechanism that protects the body from various infections and helps eliminate invading pathogens. However, immunity gradually declines with age, becoming noticeably impactful in people aged 60 and above. The older the age, the higher the chance of illness from infections. During influenza outbreaks, the number of elderly patients requiring hospitalization increases significantly.
     2. Underlying Disease 
Elderly individuals and those with chronic diseases such as kidney disease, diabetes, and cancer have a higher risk of complications if infected with influenza. These complications include sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and in some cases, severe symptoms leading to death.
     3. Frailty in the Elderly 
Frailty is not a disease but a condition of the body that lies between functional ability and disability. When elderly people contract influenza, 10% lose the ability to perform daily self-care activities and require assistance from others. Additionally, one-third of elderly patients hospitalized often cannot return to their normal activities within one year.
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The influenza vaccine available in Thailand is a quadrivalent type, recommended for individuals aged 6 months and older, administered once annually. For those aged 65 and above, there is an alternative vaccine: the High Dose Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine, which has been used in the United States and Europe for over 10 years. This vaccine is more effective in preventing and reducing complications compared to the standard influenza vaccine.

Elderly people and patients with chronic diseases such as lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and obesity are at risk of severe symptoms and have a relatively high mortality rate when they get the flu. Therefore, getting the flu vaccine is very important.

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Elderly, a high-risk group for severe symptoms from influenza

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