Challenges to diagnosis and management of infections in older adults

Theresa Rowe; Geetha Iyer

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-28137-7_3

Challenges to diagnosis and management of infections in older adults

Theresa Rowe^*, Geetha Iyer

^*Corresponding author for this work

Medicine, Geriatrics Division

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Infectious diseases continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality among adults aged 65 and older despite improvements in antibiotic therapy and vaccinations. Older adults are at increased risk for developing infections compared to younger adults because of age-associated changes in immune function, comorbidities, and repeated exposures to healthcare settings. Diagnosing infections can be challenging in older adults because common signs and symptoms of infection (e.g., fever, leukocytosis) can be absent, especially in frail adults with cognitive impairment. Pneumonia, urinary tract infection, cellulitis, and Clostridium difficile diarrheal illness are among the most common causes of infection in this age group. This chapter reviews the challenges associated with diagnosis and management of the most frequently encountered infections in older adults.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	New Directions in Geriatric Medicine
Subtitle of host publication	Concepts, Trends, and Evidence-Based Practice
Publisher	Springer International Publishing
Pages	31-47
Number of pages	17
ISBN (Electronic)	9783319281377
ISBN (Print)	9783319281353
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28137-7_3
State	Published - Jan 1 2016

Keywords

Antibiotic resistance
Asymptomatic bacteriuria
Clostridium difficile infection
Infectious diseases
Pneumonia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Medicine

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1007/978-3-319-28137-7_3

Cite this

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Challenges to diagnosis and management of infections in older adults

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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