[Characteristics of lower respiratory tract infections in the elderly]
L Drieux1,2
1Équipe opérationnelle en hygiène hospitalière, hôpital Charles-Foix, AP-HP, 7, avenue de la République, 94200 Ivry-sur-Seine, France.
Abstract:
Pneumonia is more frequent among the elderly and is associated with higher rates of hospitalization and death. The diagnosis of pneumonia in the elderly is a clinical challenge because of its non-typical symptoms and because of a poor diagnostic yield of microbiological analysis. Ageing is associated with specific pathogenesis, modifications in lung performance and modifications in oropharyngeal flora. The management relies on empirical therapy, which takes into account the severity of the infectious episode, the presence of additional risk factors, co-morbidities and institutionalization.
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