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Geriatric Infectious Diseases: Current Concepts on Diagnosis and Management.
Thomas T Yoshikawa1,2, Dean C Norman3,4
1Department of Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|February 1, 2017
Summary
Recent advancements offer new insights into infectious diseases in older adults. This review covers geriatric infection epidemiology, defenses, common infections like pneumonia and UTI, and long-term care challenges.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Significant new information on infectious diseases in older adults has emerged over the last two decades.
- Aging impacts host defenses, altering susceptibility and response to infections.
- Infectious diseases pose unique challenges in the geriatric population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of geriatric infectious diseases.
- To discuss the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and host defenses related to infections in older adults.
- To detail the diagnosis and management of common infections and challenges in long-term care.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of recent research on geriatric infectious diseases.
- In-depth discussion of epidemiological data and age-related immunological changes.
- Analysis of diagnostic and management strategies for specific infections and care settings.
Main Results:
- Geriatric infectious diseases require specialized understanding due to altered host defenses.
- Bacterial pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and Clostridium difficile infections are common and require tailored approaches.
- Long-term care settings present unique diagnostic and management hurdles for infections.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of infectious diseases in older adults necessitates understanding age-specific factors.
- Current knowledge highlights the need for updated diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for geriatric infections.
- Addressing challenges in long-term care is crucial for improving outcomes in older adults.
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