ABSTRACT
Infections in older persons may present in atypical, nonclassical fashions. This is important because of the high impact of infectious diseases on this vulnerable population. Older persons are more susceptible to infections and, in turn, infectious diseases are associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates compared to a younger population. Multiple factors are thought to be responsible for the higher incidence and elevated morbidity and mortality rates for infections in older persons. These include decremental biologic changes with age, including changes in renal and hepatic function, which alter the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs and comorbidities that diminish host defenses and mask the clinical presentation of infections. The geriatric patient is likely to suffer from more than one chronic disease and is usually taking multiple medications that may affect host defenses and increase the risk of adverse drug reactions, including-drug induced fever. An atypical presentation of an infection in the older patient may delay diagnosis and delay the initiation of empiric antimicrobial therapy in a patient who is already compromised by aging and chronic diseases.
