Which group is at a higher risk for infectious diseases?

Infants and children are at a higher risk for infectious diseases primarily due to their developing immune systems. At a young age, the immune system is still maturing, which makes it less effective at fighting off infections compared to that of older children and adults. Infants have not yet been exposed to many pathogens and, therefore, lack the immunity that is built through exposure and vaccination.

Furthermore, infants and young children are often in close contact with other children in daycare or school settings, which increases their likelihood of exposure to infectious agents. Their physiological and immunological characteristics render them particularly vulnerable to infections such as colds, influenza, and gastrointestinal diseases.

While middle-aged adults, healthy adults, and senior citizens can also face risks for infectious diseases, the risk is notably higher among infants and children due to the factors mentioned above. Senior citizens have certain vulnerabilities due to age-related decline in immune function and comorbidities, but infants and children, from a developmental perspective, face a higher overall risk.