Strep pneumonia in older adults

The best prevention technique for pneumonia is getting vaccinated. For adults aged 65 years and older who have not received any pneumococcal vaccines, 1 dose of PCV13 is recommended followed by 1 dose of PPSV23 administered 1 year later. Having a weakened immune system from disease or drugs; congenital or acquired asplenia; cerebrospinal fluid leaks; and chronic heart, lung including asthma , liver, or renal disease raises the risk for developing pneumonia. In a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine , researchers surveyed general internists and family physicians from March to June and noted that one of the main barriers to adult vaccination was financial. Another reason behind suboptimal vaccination in older adults might actually be diagnosis. For example, in bacterial pneumonia, some classic signs are less frequent with increasing age.

Find out if you need measles vaccine. These bacteria can cause many types of illnesses, including: pneumonia infection of the lungs , ear infections, sinus infections, meningitis infection of the covering around the brain and spinal cord , and bacteremia blood stream infection. Pneumococcus bacteria are spread through coughing, sneezing, and close contact with an infected person. Symptoms of pneumococcal disease depend on the part of the body that is infected. They can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, stiff neck, confusion and disorientation, sensitivity to light, joint pain, chills, ear pain, sleeplessness, and irritability. In severe cases, pneumococcal disease can cause hearing loss, brain damage, and death. Pneumococcal disease occurs around the world.

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Community-acquired pneumonia continues to have a significant impact on elderly individuals, who are affected more frequently and with more severe consequences than younger populations. As the population ages it is expected that the medical and economic impact of this disease will increase. Despite these concerns, little progress has been made in research specifically focusing on community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly. Data continue to show that a high index of suspicion, early antimicrobial therapy and appropriate medications to cover typical pathogens are extremely important in treating community-acquired pneumonia in older individuals. This review is designed to serve as an update to our previous work published in Aging Health in , with specific emphasis on the most recent evidence published since that time.