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Title: 5 Most Dangerous Infections for Seniors
Source: [None]
URL Source: http://www.newsmax.com/Health/Healt ... 03252015&s=al&dkt_nbr=wdgnrikf
Published: Mar 25, 2015
Author: Lynn Allison
Post Date: 2015-03-25 17:20:30 by BTP Holdings
Keywords: None
Views: 32
Comments: 3

5 Most Dangerous Infections for Seniors

Wednesday, 25 Mar 2015 09:30 AM

By Lynn Allison

Common infections strike everyone, but for seniors, certain bacterial and viral illnesses can be particularly serious.

A full one-third of seniors die as the result of an infectious disease, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Here’s a look at five of the biggest killers.

No 1. Flu: Influenza is so common that many of us don’t realize how deadly it can be for seniors. Tens of thousands of older Americans die each year from the flu or complications.

Seniors are more likely to have medical conditions such as diabetes or cancer that weaken the immune system and make it harder to fight the flu. Influenza can make pre-existing medical conditions worse.

“The good news is that flu is often preventable,” says Pat Salber, M.D., a board-certified internist and emergency medicine specialist. “Everyone should get an annual flu vaccination, but it is particularly important for seniors given their vulnerability.”

No 2. Pneumonia: Before the age of modern medicine, it used to be said that pneumonia was “the old man’s best friend.”

That was because elderly people would quickly die from pneumonia, relieving them from the drawn-out suffering of many other lethal conditions, said Dr. Salber.

Most pneumonia is bacterial and can be effectively treated with antibiotics. Other cases are caused by viruses or fungi and may be less treatable.

When diagnosed late, pneumonia can lead to a serious systemic inflammatory reaction called sepsis, which can be deadly.

Some pneumonia cases from specific strains of the bacteria pneumococcus can be prevented by the pneumonia vaccine, which is widely available at drugstores and from doctors. Unlike the flu vaccine, it has to be administered to seniors just once instead of annually.

No. 3. Gastrointestinal infections: “Gut infections, such as Clostridium difficile, norovirus, and others can be deadly in the elderly,” notes Dr. Salber.

C-diff typically occurs in someone who has been on antibiotics, particularly in a hospital or nursing home. The infection takes hold after healthy intestinal microbes are killed off by antibiotics.

When that happens, the normal gut flora can be restored by fecal transplant therapy – a procedure in which fecal matter from a healthy donor is diluted and administered into the gut using an endoscope or colonoscope.

“Although that may seem icky, it can be life-saving for people with a serious C-diff infection,” says Dr. Salber.

Preventive measures include good hand-washing hygiene, avoiding unnecessary antibiotics, and making sure your healthcare providers are complying with the highest levels of infection-control measures.

4. Urinary tract infections: UTIs are common, usually mild, and easily treated with antibiotics. But the danger comes when the infection is missed and allowed to progress to a kidney infection or worse, sepsis, which can be deadly.

The elderly often have anatomical changes that predispose them to UTIs. Catheters used to treat seniors can also spread the infections.

No. 5. Skin Infections: Skin infections occur when there is damage to the surface of the skin, Iona Munjal, M.D., infectious disease expert at Montefiore Medical Center tells Newsmax Health.

“Elderly people are at increased risk as there is an accumulation of skin damage and loss of fatty tissue with age,” she says. “Skin infections can be dangerous and even deadly in this group.”

Seniors are less mobile, which means sores and infections may get worse because they are unable to care for them properly.

The two most common skin infections are cellulitis and infected skin ulcers. It’s important to prevent skin infections by watching for things that lead to breaches in the skin, such as poorly fitted shoes, too much sun exposure, and scratches or cuts.

Once a skin infection is noticed, prompt treatment is key to getting it under control.

Read Latest Breaking News from http://Newsmax.com www.newsmax.com/Health/He.../id/634383/#ixzz3VQzmnExF


Poster Comment:

I've had pneumonia, and blood clots. Either of those could have killed me. Been fighting a skin infection for over a year now, and am finally making some headway on it. It is healing nicely. It could have killed me also. I guess I'm a pretty tough old bird. ;)

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#1. To: BTP Holdings (#0)

Most pneumonia is bacterial

So if you brush teeth with bar soap suds, further rinse with saline, you'll minimize mouth bacteria and chances of getting pneumonia.

Tatarewicz  posted on  2015-03-25   23:13:55 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#2. To: BTP Holdings (#0)

im suprised i didnt see shingles on this list... my mom got shingles. three other elderlys she knew got shingles..yeah ... bad stuff right there

______________________________________

Suspect all media / resist bad propaganda/Learn NLP everyday everyway ;) If you don't control your mind someone else will.

titorite  posted on  2015-03-26   14:51:00 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#3. To: titorite (#2)

im suprised i didnt see shingles on this list... my mom got shingles. three other elderlys she knew got shingles..yeah ... bad stuff right there

My Aunt had shingles. Bad stuff is right. The commercials on TV say that 1 in 3 will get shingles. Not me, though, I've had too many other maladies. ;)

"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke

BTP Holdings  posted on  2015-03-26   16:41:25 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


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