Could President Biden's Age Affect His COVID Recovery?
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Key TakeawaysPresident Joe Biden tested positive for COVID after a campaign event on Wednesday.The President reportedly has mild symptoms, has taken Paxlovid, and is self-isolating.The risk of serious complications from COVID increases with age and with the accumulation of comorbidities.
President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, according to a White House statement. This is the third bout of COVID for the 81-year-old. Biden tested for COVID after a campaign event in Las Vegas. He is already taking the antiviral medication Paxlovid and will self-isolate in Delaware.The White House physician said Biden’s symptoms “remain mild.” Biden presented with upper respiratory symptoms, including a runny nose and dry cough, as well as general malaise. His symptoms are mild, and his respiratory rate, body temperature, and blood oxygen level are “normal,” according to the statement. The news comes as the U.S. experiences a summer uptick in COVID cases.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is no longer tracking COVID case counts, only hospitalizations and deaths from the virus. However, the agency recently said that infection rates are “growing or likely growing” in 45 states and territories. Wastewater surveillance also indicates that cases are on the rise nationwide, especially in the West, where levels are "high."How COVID Impacts Older AdultsThroughout the pandemic, older adults have faced an outsized risk of becoming severely sick and dying compared to younger adults.According to CDC data from June, per every 100,000 Americans older than 75, about four died with COVID and 66 were hospitalized. For all other age groups, the COVID death rate last month was less than 1 per 100,000.Those rates are far lower than the death and hospitalization rates at the beginning of the pandemic, but are still concerning to infectious disease experts.People are more likely to face serious complications of COVID if they have certain other medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and stroke. As adults age, they are more likely to develop multiple comorbidities like these.The White House said Biden is up-to-date on his vaccines and got his most recent shot in September. Vaccination can protect against serious illness and help prevent long-term complications.
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Protecting Against Long COVIDEven a mild COVID infection can cause long-lasting effects. After an acute illness subsides, the virus can cause lingering problems throughout the body. These include brain fog, muscle and joint pain, chronic fatigue, loss of smell, and chest pain.According to a study published Wednesday, nearly 7.8% of Americans experienced long COVID when Omicron was the dominant variant. During that time, individuals who were vaccinated against COVID were about half as likely to develop long COVID than unvaccinated people.It’s not possible to predict whether Biden will experience lasting cognitive or other health effects from his current infection, and the White House hasn’t shared whether he’s experiencing long-term effects of his past COVID bouts.The next round of updated COVID-19 vaccines is expected to roll out this fall. They are being updated to protect against the current circulating COVID variants.The antiviral medication Paxlovid is still considered the best way to minimize the symptoms of an acute COVID infection and reduce the risk of being hospitalized or dying.
What This Means For YouThe CDC recommends that older adults who have had a primary vaccination series get one or more additional doses of the COVID vaccine that was updated in 2023. If it’s been a while since your last COVID vaccination, talk to a health provider about whether you should get another dose.
The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page. Read the original article on Verywell Health.
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