How to treat fever in the elderly
Posted on: 22/Sep/2016 9:49:34 AM
Doctors have always said that fever at any age is a sign of an infection. Infectious diseases account for more than 40 per cent of deaths in geriatric population. Due to absence of classical features of fever, exact diagnosis could be easily missed. In those with multiple illnesses and advancing age, the manifestations of fever could be in the form of confused behaviour, urinary incontinence or even a fall from the bed.
Pneumonia and influenza can be more severe in the elderly. So, these need constant monitoring and hospitalization, if necessary. Weak immunity increases the risk of development of not only complications from influenza and pneumonia but also is contagious to those of the same age especially in geriatric homes. Urinary tract infection can also produce fever and it is more common in those on catheters and with improperly managed diabetes.
Management of fever should include adequate intake of fluids, ensuring optimal urinary output, paracetamol in the recommended minimum dosages and identification of the cause of fever if indicated. Most of the deadly ones are preventable with adult immunisation. e.g. influenza, pneumonia, herpes zoster etc.
