Viral Infections in Elderly Individuals: A Comprehensive Overview of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Susceptibility, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Treatment Strategies

As age increases, the immune function of elderly individuals gradually decreases, increasing their susceptibility to infectious diseases. Therefore, further research on common viral infections in the elderly population, especially severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and infl...

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Main Authors: Yanhao Huang, Shumin Li, Wenjie Ye, Haoyun Wang, Jun Su, Lijuan Gao, Ruohu Shi, Xinyi Mou, Sean Xiao Leng, Chanchan Xiao, Guobing Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Vaccines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/4/431
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author Yanhao Huang
Shumin Li
Wenjie Ye
Haoyun Wang
Jun Su
Lijuan Gao
Ruohu Shi
Xinyi Mou
Sean Xiao Leng
Chanchan Xiao
Guobing Chen
author_facet Yanhao Huang
Shumin Li
Wenjie Ye
Haoyun Wang
Jun Su
Lijuan Gao
Ruohu Shi
Xinyi Mou
Sean Xiao Leng
Chanchan Xiao
Guobing Chen
author_sort Yanhao Huang
collection DOAJ
description As age increases, the immune function of elderly individuals gradually decreases, increasing their susceptibility to infectious diseases. Therefore, further research on common viral infections in the elderly population, especially severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza viruses, is crucial for scientific progress. This review delves into the genetic structure, infection mechanisms, and impact of coinfections with these two viruses and provides a detailed analysis of the reasons for the increased susceptibility of elderly individuals to dual viral infections. We evaluated the clinical manifestations in elderly individuals following coinfections, including complications in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. Ultimately, we have summarized the current strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza coinfections in older adults. Through these studies, we aim to reduce the risk of dual infections in elderly individuals and provide a scientific basis for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of age-related viral diseases, thereby improving their health status.
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series Vaccines
spelling doaj-art-1adaa8f9696d4c52bf5cffae155d56be2025-08-20T03:13:51ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2025-04-0113443110.3390/vaccines13040431Viral Infections in Elderly Individuals: A Comprehensive Overview of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Susceptibility, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Treatment StrategiesYanhao Huang0Shumin Li1Wenjie Ye2Haoyun Wang3Jun Su4Lijuan Gao5Ruohu Shi6Xinyi Mou7Sean Xiao Leng8Chanchan Xiao9Guobing Chen10The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University (Dongguan Eastern Central Hospital), School of Medicine, Jinan University, Dongguan 523000, ChinaDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Geriatric Immunology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, ChinaDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Geriatric Immunology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, ChinaDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Geriatric Immunology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, ChinaFirst Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, ChinaDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Geriatric Immunology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, ChinaDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Geriatric Immunology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, ChinaDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Geriatric Immunology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, ChinaJohns Hopkins Center on Aging and Immune Remodeling, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Departments of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USAThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University (Dongguan Eastern Central Hospital), School of Medicine, Jinan University, Dongguan 523000, ChinaThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University (Dongguan Eastern Central Hospital), School of Medicine, Jinan University, Dongguan 523000, ChinaAs age increases, the immune function of elderly individuals gradually decreases, increasing their susceptibility to infectious diseases. Therefore, further research on common viral infections in the elderly population, especially severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza viruses, is crucial for scientific progress. This review delves into the genetic structure, infection mechanisms, and impact of coinfections with these two viruses and provides a detailed analysis of the reasons for the increased susceptibility of elderly individuals to dual viral infections. We evaluated the clinical manifestations in elderly individuals following coinfections, including complications in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. Ultimately, we have summarized the current strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza coinfections in older adults. Through these studies, we aim to reduce the risk of dual infections in elderly individuals and provide a scientific basis for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of age-related viral diseases, thereby improving their health status.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/4/431agingSARS-CoV-2influenza virusescoinfectionspathogenesis
spellingShingle Yanhao Huang
Shumin Li
Wenjie Ye
Haoyun Wang
Jun Su
Lijuan Gao
Ruohu Shi
Xinyi Mou
Sean Xiao Leng
Chanchan Xiao
Guobing Chen
Viral Infections in Elderly Individuals: A Comprehensive Overview of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Susceptibility, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Treatment Strategies
Vaccines
aging
SARS-CoV-2
influenza viruses
coinfections
pathogenesis
title Viral Infections in Elderly Individuals: A Comprehensive Overview of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Susceptibility, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Treatment Strategies
title_full Viral Infections in Elderly Individuals: A Comprehensive Overview of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Susceptibility, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Treatment Strategies
title_fullStr Viral Infections in Elderly Individuals: A Comprehensive Overview of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Susceptibility, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Treatment Strategies
title_full_unstemmed Viral Infections in Elderly Individuals: A Comprehensive Overview of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Susceptibility, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Treatment Strategies
title_short Viral Infections in Elderly Individuals: A Comprehensive Overview of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Susceptibility, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Treatment Strategies
title_sort viral infections in elderly individuals a comprehensive overview of sars cov 2 and influenza susceptibility pathogenesis and clinical treatment strategies
topic aging
SARS-CoV-2
influenza viruses
coinfections
pathogenesis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/4/431
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