為何流感對老年人（指年齡達(dá)到或大于65歲者）威脅更大？專家們認(rèn)為“主要與老年人免疫力或稱抵抗力較低有關(guān)”，抵抗力較青壯年低的老年朋友們一旦患上流感，極易并發(fā)肺炎，加之他或她大多合并心腦血管疾病等，故患流感后往往較難恢復(fù)或后果嚴(yán)重。
那么如何才能更好地在流感流行季節(jié)保護(hù)好老年朋友？專家們認(rèn)為“預(yù)防是最值得去嘗試的事情”，如老年朋友們應(yīng)接種流感疫苗、勤洗手、盡量少去人多和/或空氣流通不暢的場所，及多飲水、勤鍛煉和好睡眠等均是預(yù)防流感極佳措施。
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彭博 摘譯
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Doctor Explains Why Flu a Greater Threat to Seniors
Weaker immune system, dehydration risks and less mobility all can make illness more dangerous
THURSDAY, Jan. 17 (HealthDay News) -- The nasty flu season in the United States this year poses a particular risk for people aged 65 and older, an expert warns.
People's immune systems weaken as they age, explained Dr. Andrew Duxbury, an associate professor in the gerontology, geriatrics and palliative care division at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine.
"When older people get the flu and get knocked down further, they are more likely to get other infections, such as pneumonia," Duxbury said in a university news release. "Just being knocked into bed for as little as three or four days can, in a very frail older person, make it so they lose the ability to walk and do for themselves. It can cause a spiral in disabilities and increase chances of falls and injuries."
Prevention is the best defense. Seniors and their caregivers should get a flu shot, wash hands regularly and avoid crowds, Duxbury recommended.
He also offered advice about what seniors should do if they get the flu.
"Pay more attention to things like staying hydrated," Duxbury said. "Appetite and thirst mechanisms are different for older people; they can tip over to dehydration in less than a day if they don't keep fluids up."
Seniors with the flu also need to get out of bed at least a little bit, he said.
"It's better for lungs and helps avoid pneumonia," Duxbury explained.
He said seniors or their caregivers should call a doctor if they have shortness of breath, a cough that produces mucus or a fever higher than 101 degrees.
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SOURCE:University of Alabama at Birmingham, news release, Jan. 11, 2013