70 year old Dad has virus. Is there any hope?

[BlackCatFan]

I've just been told my 70 yr old dad has the virus or at least has the symptoms.. not been diagnosed officially. He was admitted to hospital last night with throat pain and breathlessness. But the hospital have told him he should be able to go home tomorrow! I'm confused- shouldn't they be keeping him in?

From what I've read symptoms get gradually worse.

I feel a bit numb at the moment. Is it likely he will die of this?

There is always hope. Look at the statistics: even in the elderly, the majority pull through. 🙏🏼

All you can do is take one day at a time. I'm sorry about your dad.

They wouldn’t be sending him home if they didn’t think he was improving xx

Of course there is hope. The vast majority of older people with the virus do survive.

The hospitals are not overcrowded at this point either. I wish him a speedy recovery!

Most people pull through even amongst the elderly. They are probably sending him home as his symptoms are not severe enough for A&E.

Hope he is ok OP. Most elderly people will be fine.

Yes there’s hope, most people recover including older people and many older people have beat this, including a 103 year old man!

A 103 year old grandmother in Wuhan recovered form the virus. You have to remember it’s still very small numbers who face mortality.

I'm probably not thinking straight. Things must be ok if they're thinking about sending him home to recover. It's all so confusing, so much conflicting information. I haven't seen him since Christmas so I haven't been in contact myself, therefore I won't have spread it around thankfully.

I hope your dad recovers quickly OP. Yes there is hope, much older people have recovered

103 year old grandma really!!

OP, the best place for him is at home if his symptoms are improving and go on to remain mild. Medications (inhalers, pain relief) can be used for symptom management.
If he stays in hospital when it is not needed, he runs the risk of acquiring a hospital based infection and becoming worse. He will also be isolated better at home in a comfortable environment rather than on a busy ward with other suspected Covid patients.
Never think the hospital is a better place if home management is an option.
Of course, once he is discharged and home, IF his symptoms become more severe he can always go back in.

There have been a few 100+ year olds who have made full recoveries in China some of whom had severe pre-existing conditions. My guess is they might have been used to trial anti-viral treatments.

I think my mum has had it and is 75 (no health issues). She has been absolutely fine

The mortality rate of those over 70 who contract the virus is around 18%. That's very high, but it means that your dad is much more likely to live than to die. It's a scary, difficult time for you and your family, but try not to panic.

The mortality rate of those over 70 who contract the virus is around 18%

It would be useful to see this separated into the rate for over 70s with pre-existing conditions and those without. Then we'd have some idea whether it's ageing itself which increases the risk or just that older people tend to have more wrong with them.

The overwhelming majority survive.Something around the 92% from Chinese figures for over 70s.

Found this - " in a Chinese analysis of more than 72,000 case records, 2.3% of those confirmed or suspected (based on symptoms and exposure) to have the virus died. Patients above 80 years of age had an alarmingly high fatality rate of 14.8%. Patients ages 70 to 79 years had a fatality rate of 8%."

So over 90% lived. There's lots of hope OP. I'm so sorry you're going through this.

The figures from China were 92% survival over age 70, and 85% survival over age 80, OP, and your dad is clinically improving. I would be cautiously optimistic in the circs.
Try to just focus on a day at a time, distract yourself with practical things, and get ready to help if needed when he is discharged.

It's scary but as PPs have said he is very very likely to be fine. My parents are 70 too and I have been following the numbers carefully (I'm a statistician)
Hope he is better soon

Has he been tested?

Thank you everyone. I'm trying not to worry unnecessarily. Please everyone keep as safe and well as you can. It didn't feel real for me until now.

@EverydayLife I'm not sure. He's going to try and call me later

Most in his age range survive and at present it appears it’s those with underlying illnesses that are more likely to die. If he is well enough to be at home, he is safer there.

I hope all is ok.

There is definitely hope. Statistically he's more likely to survive than he's is to die. And if he's going to get it now is the best time, before the hospitals are full of coronavirus patients so if he does need to go back in he will get the medical help he needs and there's no shortage of ventilators yet.