Infectious diseases account for a significant proportion of hospital admissions and deaths in the elderly. Influenza and pneumonia are of particular importance, and effective vaccines exist which are recommended for people aged over 65 years. Unfortunately, the immunological response to vaccines in older individuals is less than that in younger adults. Influenza Vaccination: It is difficult to diagnose influenza clinically as symptoms are a poor guide, and there are many asymptomatic infected carriers who can pass the virus on to others.
Laboratory diagnosis on nasopharyngeal swabs is specific but insensitive as well. The influenza vaccine can be inactivated, live attenuated, purified protein or DNA, but the inactivated vaccine is most common. Around 5% of subjects will have an adverse reaction to the vaccine, with upper respiratory symptoms. There are currently no reliable ways of…
