Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of common infections in geriatric patients

Prevention of infection in the elderly is far preferable to treatment of the disease, and can be promoted through precautionary measures when undertaking invasive procedures in older patients as well as through the administration of available vaccines. Difficulties in diagnosing bacterial pneumonia, influenza, tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, and urinary tract infections in the elderly, and schedules for treating these diseases, are discussed.