Host factors and infectious diseases in the elderly.

Because of declining function of their immunologic and other organ systems, elderly individuals are more susceptible to certain types of infections of their heart valves, meninges, urinary tract, and skin. They may develop serious sepsis with subtle clinical signs and symptoms, which makes accurate diagnosis difficult. The antimicrobial agents of choice for use against the organisms most commonly responsible for these septic symdromes are listed in Tables 2, 3, and 4. Some methods of preventing these infections are discussed, but further studies to verify old techniques and establish new ones are needed.