Epidemiology and Clinical Presentation of COVID-19 in Older Adults

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2023 Mar;37(1):1-26. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2022.11.001. Epub 2022 Nov 4.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection remains asymptomatic in 33% to 90% of older adults depending on their immune status from prior infection, vaccination, and circulating strain. Older adults symptomatic with SARS-CoV-2 often both present atypically, such as with a blunted fever response, and develop more severe disease. Early and late reports showed that older adults have increased severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with higher case fatality rates and higher intensive care needs compared with younger adults. Infection and vaccine-induced antibody response and long-term effects of COVID-19 also differ in older adults.

Keywords: COVID-19; Clinical presentation; Epidemiology; Older adults.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2