Influence of Aging and Environment on Presentation of Infection in Older Adults

In older adults, pathophysiologic, clinical, and environmental factors all affect the presentation of infections. We explore how age-related changes influence the manifestation and evaluation of infections in this population. Specific topics include immunosenescence, age-related organ-specific physiologic changes, and frailty. We also describe clinical factors influencing infection risk and presentation in older adults, including temperature regulation, cognitive decline, and malnutrition. Finally, we discuss the influence of the setting in which older adults reside on the clinical evaluation of infection. Understanding the influence of all these changes may facilitate the prevention, early recognition, and treatment of infections in older adults.