The emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in late 2019 has been associated with a high rate of mortality and morbidity. It has been determined that the old population are not only at an increased risk for affliction with COVID-19 infection, but also atypical presentations, severe forms of the disease, and mortality are more common in this population. A plethora of mechanisms and risk factors contribute to the higher risk of infection in the old population. For instance, aging is associated with an increment in the expression of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE-2), the receptor for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which precipitates replication of the virus in the old population. On the other hand, immune dysregulation and changes in gut microbiota as a result of aging can contribute to the cytokine storm, one of the main indicators of disease severity. Decrement in sex steroids, especially in women, as well as growth hormone, both of which have crucial roles in immune regulation, is a key contributor to disease severity in old age. Senescence-associated oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in both pneumocytes and immune cells contribute to the severity of infection in an exacerbative manner. In addition, lifestyle-associated factors such as nutrition and physical activity, which are compromised in old age, are known as important factors in COVID-19 infection. Aging-associated comorbidities, especially cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus, also put older adults at an increased risk of complications, and disease severity.

2019 年底出现的严重急性呼吸系统综合症冠状病毒 2 (SARS-CoV-2) 与高死亡率和发病率有关。已经确定，老年人口不仅感染 COVID-19 的风险增加，而且非典型表现、疾病的严重形式和死亡率在该人群中更为常见。过多的机制和风险因素导致老年人群感染的风险更高。例如，衰老与血管紧张素转换酶 2 (ACE-2) 表达的增加有关，ACE-2 是 SARS-CoV-2 刺突蛋白的受体，可促进病毒在老年人群中的复制。另一方面，免疫失调和衰老导致的肠道菌群变化会导致细胞因子风暴，疾病严重程度的主要指标之一。性类固醇（尤其是女性）以及生长激素的减少，这两者在免疫调节中都起着至关重要的作用，是导致老年疾病严重程度的关键因素。肺细胞和免疫细胞中与衰老相关的氧化应激和线粒体功能障碍以恶化的方式导致感染的严重程度。此外，与生活方式相关的因素，如营养和体力活动，在老年时会受到影响，被认为是 COVID-19 感染的重要因素。与衰老相关的合并症，尤其是心血管疾病和糖尿病，也会增加老年人发生并发症和疾病严重程度的风险。以及生长激素，两者在免疫调节中都起着至关重要的作用，是导致老年疾病严重程度的关键因素。肺细胞和免疫细胞中与衰老相关的氧化应激和线粒体功能障碍以恶化的方式导致感染的严重程度。此外，与生活方式相关的因素，如营养和体力活动，在老年时会受到影响，被认为是 COVID-19 感染的重要因素。与衰老相关的合并症，尤其是心血管疾病和糖尿病，也会增加老年人发生并发症和疾病严重程度的风险。以及生长激素，两者在免疫调节中都起着至关重要的作用，是导致老年疾病严重程度的关键因素。肺细胞和免疫细胞中与衰老相关的氧化应激和线粒体功能障碍以恶化的方式导致感染的严重程度。此外，与生活方式相关的因素，如营养和体力活动，在老年时会受到影响，被认为是 COVID-19 感染的重要因素。与衰老相关的合并症，尤其是心血管疾病和糖尿病，也会增加老年人发生并发症和疾病严重程度的风险。肺细胞和免疫细胞中与衰老相关的氧化应激和线粒体功能障碍以恶化的方式导致感染的严重程度。此外，与生活方式相关的因素，如营养和体力活动，在老年时会受到影响，被认为是 COVID-19 感染的重要因素。与衰老相关的合并症，尤其是心血管疾病和糖尿病，也会增加老年人发生并发症和疾病严重程度的风险。肺细胞和免疫细胞中与衰老相关的氧化应激和线粒体功能障碍以恶化的方式导致感染的严重程度。此外，与生活方式相关的因素，如营养和体力活动，在老年时会受到影响，被认为是 COVID-19 感染的重要因素。与衰老相关的合并症，尤其是心血管疾病和糖尿病，也会增加老年人发生并发症和疾病严重程度的风险。