COMMON INFECTIONS IN THE ELDERLY IN THE HOME OR NURSING HOME SETTING

Infections in the elderly are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Diagnosing infections in the elderly is challenging due to their atypical and subtle presentation. A high index of suspicion is often needed. Commonly encountered infections in the elderly include bacterial pneumonia, urinary tract infection, cellulitis and Herpes zoster. In addition, institutionalised elderly and those with multiple hospital admissions are at risk of infection with Multidrug-resistant Organisms (MROs); this can be difficult to manage. The purpose of this article is to look at some common infections in the elderly encountered in the home or nursing home, and review their management.