Common Infections in Aged People
No one can deny the fact that common infections like influenza & UTIs can happen to anyone, but for people over 65 years of age become much difficult to diagnose & that leads to chronic poor health and a greater risk of hospitalization.
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, one-third of deaths in seniors over 65 years result from infectious diseases. So, it’s important to stay active to any changes happening in senior health and take necessary steps to ward off infections we can actually promote greater quality of life for our senior loved ones in their golden years. Below mentioned are a few common infections found in the elderly:
Elderly Skin Infections
As we get older, changes to skin and its ability to resist disease get much more common. These consist of viral infections like herpes zoster, fungal foot infections, cellulitis and drug resistant infections. It’s important to stay alert to any pain, unusual itching and see proper treatment if your loved one finding any discomfort. By practicing good hygiene like proper hand washing you can easily get rid of skin infections.
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Urinary Tract Infections
These are the most common bacterial infections in seniors and they mainly occur because of the presence of diabetes. Sudden changes in behavior such as confusion or the onset of urinary incontinence is a common warning sign. Pain and discomfort don’t necessarily happen with UTIs. If you suspect a Urinary Tract Infection, a physician can perform testing to confirm the diagnosis and then prescribe antibiotics if required. Caregivers have to ensure that their loved ones drink as much water as possible which would help to prevent UTIs.
Bacterial Pneumonia
Seniors are at higher risk for pneumonia for many reasons such as changes in lung capacity, increased exposure to disease in community settings and increased susceptibility because of other conditions like diabetes. Generally, doctors prescribe antibiotic treatment for bacterial pneumonia. Using a pneumococcal vaccine, some types of pneumonia can be easily prevented and cured.
Gastrointestinal Infections
Most common infections are Helicobacter pylori which may give rise to fever, nausea and upper abdominal pain. This further leads to long term infections like gastritis and clostridium difficile which occurs due to antibiotic treatments which curb healthy gastrointestinal flora. Such illnesses are quite common in long term care facilities.
Caregivers who stay alert can keep senior loved ones healthy and happy. So, take care of your senior loved ones because they only belong to you now!
