COVID-19 and the Elderly with Chronic diseases: Narrative Review

One of the most at-risk groups for COVID-19 is elderly with chronic diseases. However, many elderly patients with COVID-19 may seem "silent" after being infected with the virus, or have non-specific symptoms such as decreased activity, drowsiness, reluctance to eat, indifference, confusion, delirium, loss of awareness of the environment, speech disorders, urinary incontinence, falling following a loss of balance and fainting. Fever is a hidden symptom in the elderly. If the elderly body temperature is 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it is necessary to undergo further diagnostic tests for COVID-19. On the other hand, other patients with heart failure, vascular diseases, and COPD experience normal symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, shortness of breath, etc.). Thatchr('39')s why itchr('39')s much harder to diagnose COVID- 19 in the elderly with chronic disease than others. In order to diagnose the disease in a golden time, it is necessary to carry out diagnostic tests in order to confirm COVID-19. Therefore, it can be concluded; elderly people with COVID-19, and with a history of chronic diseases have a more severe form of respiratory distress syndrome than other people with COVID-19, which can lead to death. Regardless of the severity of the disease, supportive care for these patients is essential.