How Long Does the Flu Last in the Elderly?

Aching muscles, fatigue, a high fever, and chills — the flu is no joke at any age.

For seniors, the risk is even more serious, with older adults experiencing more intense symptoms and a much slower recovery time. In this post, we’ll break down symptoms of flu in the elderly to watch out for, and answer common questions about seniors and the flu, like “How long does the flu last in the elderly?”

As we age, our bodies’ response to the flu virus changes. For most healthy people, the flu is usually an intense, but short-term illness that our immune system can fight off on its own. With flu in seniors, symptoms will present as more intense and recovery time will often take longer.

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Why Does the Flu Last Longer in Old Age?

The flu tends to last longer in old age for a few reasons:

• Comorbidity of chronic conditions -Most seniors live with some sort of chronic health issue like heart disease, diabetes, or kidney disease. The reason this is so dangerous is that these conditions can make flu symptoms worse or catching the flu can make the pre-existing condition worse. For example, a senior with asthma who already has trouble breathing will struggle to breathe even more with the flu. Alternatively, a senior with a pre-existing heart condition is more likely to have a heart attack while fighting the flu because it can put additional strain on the heart.
• Weaker immune response – Because seniors have an overall weaker immune system response, they are more likely to catch the flu in the first place. On top of that, older adults who do catch the flu are more likely to develop secondary medical conditions that can quickly become life-threatening and may even require hospitalization.

The Dangers of Influenza in the Elderly

Flu in the elderly can be extremely dangerous, with adults over the age of 65 making up a staggering

70% to 85% of flu-related deaths and between ½ to ⅔ of all flu-related hospitalizations.

This is because influenza in the elderly comes with an increased risk of life-threatening secondary complications that can do serious harm while your body tries to fight off the flu, including:

• Pneumonia – the most common (and one of the most dangerous) secondary flu-related complications. Pneumonia causes inflammation and fluid buildup in the lungs that makes it harder for the body to get enough oxygen. Recovery often requires an extended hospital stay.
• Heart Inflammation (myocarditis) – The flu can put some strain on the heart, and in some rare cases, it even may cause inflammation of the heart. This can worsen existing heart disease and greatly increases the risk of a heart attack or heart failure. For seniors over the age of 65, the risk of a heart attack is 3 to 5 times higher during the first two weeks of the flu and the risk of stroke is 2 to 3 times higher. Even after recovery, seniors will experience an increased risk of heart disease for months.
• Sepsis – sepsis occurs when the body has an extreme reaction to an infection, and causes the immune system to start damaging important bodily functions instead of fighting the infection.

Even if seniors are lucky enough to avoid any secondary complications, longer recovery times can lead to a physical decline that can be hard to bounce back from. Extended bed rest can lead to muscle weakness, reduced strength, loss of balance, and an overall decline in energy.

Symptoms of Flu in the Elderly

Symptoms of flu in the elderly aren’t different from those in younger age groups. Look out for:

• Aches and pains
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headache
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat

However, it is worth noting that because the average body temperature in older adults is slightly lower than other age groups, their fever temperature may also be lower. According to the CDC, the following temperatures in older adults may be a sign of influenza or another infection:

• A single temperature reading higher than 100°F
• Multiple temperature readings above 99°F
• A rise in temperature greater than 2°F above the person’s normal body temperature

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