How can the elderly prevent severe illness if they test positive for COVID-19? Experts offer these suggestions

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During the pandemic, the elderly are one of the key groups that require medical care. What symptoms in the elderly after contracting COVID-19 warrant caution? How can the elderly prevent severe illness? To this end, a reporter from People’s Daily Online interviewed Xiao Guangfen, deputy director of the Geriatrics Center at the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. Xiao Guangfen explained that among all age groups, the proportion of severe cases and deaths among the elderly after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus is the highest. The main reason is that, as they age, the immunity of the elderly weakens ； Secondly, most elderly people have underlying health conditions, and viral infections can exacerbate the symptoms of these conditions or increase the risk of complications. “One should be highly vigilant when seeing the elderly showing listlessness, drowsiness, loss of appetite, or experiencing severe diarrhea, vomiting, incontinence, or intense coughing, cyanotic lips, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, persistent fever, or when symptoms worsen again after improving. Elderly people with underlying medical conditions should seek medical attention promptly if the symptoms of those conditions worsen. At the same time, devices such as pulse oximeters can be used to help determine whether there are any problems with the elderly person’s respiratory system; if the pulse oxygen level is below 93%, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly. ”Xiao Guangfen suggested. Xiao Guangfen said that in the face of the complex pandemic situation, vaccination remains an effective measure for active immunity. The protective effect of COVID-19 vaccines can effectively reduce the risk of severe illness, critical condition, and death in elderly people after infection with the virus. It is recommended that elderly people who meet the vaccination criteria get the full course of COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. In addition, the elderly need to consume sufficient calories, protein, and vitamins daily ； Keep warm, get enough sleep, and prevent falls ； People with underlying diseases should keep these conditions under control, pay attention to monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar, and heart rate, as well as check finger pulse oxygen levels and mental status ； Maintain a positive mindset and avoid feelings of tension and anxiety. (Video production: Zhao Jiaxin from Shi*Sheng)