title: Common infections in the elderly.
abstract: Symptoms of infection in the elderly may be absent, vague or atypical. Infection should be suspected when an elderly patient presents with a decline in well-being or with non-specific symptoms such as falls, dizziness, confusion, anorexia or weakness. Common infections include bacterial pneumonia, urinary tract infection, intra-abdominal infections, gram-negative bacteremia and infection of decubitus ulcers. Antibiotic therapy is not recommended for asymptomatic bacteriuria or locally infected decubitus ulcers. Drug dosages should be adjusted for the age-associated decline in renal function and for hepatic or renal insufficiency. The trend in antibiotic therapy is evolving toward the use of third-generation cephalosporins instead of aminoglycosides to avoid the side effects of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Pneumococcal, influenza and tetanus/diphtheria immunizations help prevent morbidity and mortality.
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: McClure
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015984:Causality; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D003663:Decision Trees; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D015994:Incidence; D007239:Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents