o May have decreased ADL and slower recovery from their
illness,
o May access healthcare services more frequently
o May have more severe complications, including death,
o May cause by
o impaired immune and inflammatory changes,
o anatomical changes
o Living in a long-term care facility,
URTI
o Influenza and Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV) are
the two most common viral URTIs that occur in the
elderly.
o Pneumococcal disease is up to 14 times more common
in people aged 70 years
o The pneumococcus is a common pathogen in the
nasopharynx and is most commonly associated with
pneumonia.
Influenza
o Characteristic
o Sudden onset of fever
o Muscle aches
o Pain, malaise
o Upper respiratory tract symptoms (rhinitis, sore
throat, non-productive cough
o Confusion
o Influenza season
Influenza
o Incubation period typically is 1-2 days.
o Secondary bacterial pneumonia is the most
common and most serious complication post
influenza.
Nursing Care
o Aims to prevent older patients from complications
such as pneumonia
o Promote rest, nutrition, hydration