[Specifics in antibiotic therapy for older adults]

Infectious diseases are still very common in older adults ad they are responsilble for nearly the most deaths in those patients. Especially geriatric patients show higher morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is very important to start antibiotic therapy as fast as possible after diagnosis. Beyond physiological organ changes, immunosenescene leads to a higher susceptibility for infections in this special patient group. Atypical symptoms cause a delayed initial therapy. Changes in pharmacokinetics, multimorbidity and plypharmacy induce a high risk for adverse sideeffects and interactions. Indicating antibiotic therapy, local resistance and severity of disease has to be considered.