Epidemiology of Respiratory Infection

Respiratory infections produce considerable morbidity and mortality among the elderly. Among adults with community-acquired pneumonia, the incidence and case-fatality are highest in those aged 65 years and older. In addition, among the elderly population living in the community, the incidence of pneumonia increases substantially between the ages of 65 and 90 years. The incidence of nursing home pneumonia is 0.5-0.7 episodes per 1000 resident care days. It is the frail, debilitated, bedridden nursing home resident who is at greatest risk for pneumonia. In developed countries, the incidence of tuberculosis is highest in the elderly, particularly in institutionalized settings. On average, the frequency of non-influenza viral respiratory tract infection is the same in the elderly as in those aged 20-59 years. In less functional elderly, the rate of viral respiratory tract infection is higher than among healthy elderly. Rhinovirus is the most common virus isolated among respiratory infections in the elderly. The frail elderly appear to be particularly vulnerable to more severe viral respiratory infections and more often require hospitalization.