Which age group experiences more severe symptoms of St. Louis encephalitis?

Senior citizens, particularly those aged 60 years and older, experience more severe symptoms of St. Louis encephalitis. This increased severity is primarily due to age-related factors that affect the immune system. As individuals age, their immune responses generally become weaker, which can hinder the body's ability to fight off infections and respond to viruses effectively.

In the case of St. Louis encephalitis, a viral infection that can lead to neuroinvasive disease, older adults are at a higher risk of developing complications and more severe neurological effects. This vulnerability can result in a greater likelihood of hospitalization, longer recovery times, and increased mortality rates within this age group compared to younger populations.

The other age groups, while they can also contract St. Louis encephalitis, do not tend to exhibit the same severity of symptoms as senior citizens. Children may experience symptoms, but they often have robust immune systems that help them cope better with infections. Adults in their 20s to 30s and middle-aged adults also tend to have healthier immune responses, which can mitigate the severity of any symptoms they might experience.