What are nursing home infections that are common among nursing home residents? Elderly people who live in nursing homes receive more health and medical care. Accuracy in medical care and its frequent implementation can have a positive effect on increasing the quality of life of the elderly; however, it should be noted that the possibility of contracting some contagious diseases, such as viruses, is higher in nursing homes than at home.
Using nursing services at home reduces the possibility of contracting infectious diseases, but since the number of elderly people in nursing homes is large and they live together in groups, the possibility of contracting various infectious and contagious diseases is greater in this environment. Read more about nursing home infections in this article from humanhealthmag.
8 Common Nursing Home Infections
Caring for the elderly in their own home reduces the risk of nursing home diseases. The elderly require a lot of care and maintenance, and neglect in this area may spread infectious diseases in the elderly population. According to predictions, the number of elderly people in the world will reach 2 billion by 2050 due to the improvement of the health and treatment situation.
Therefore, more attention should be paid to the diseases of old age. It should be noted that no matter how safe and hygienic a nursing home is, it is still a place where a large number of elderly people aged 60 to 65 years live. Understanding nursing home infectious diseases can be helpful for geriatric nurses who care for the elderly and for his/her family so that they can take timely action in the event of a suspected complication. In the following, we will discuss the most common infections among nursing home residents. These diseases are also seen in elderly people living in their own homes, but are most common in nursing homes.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Most Common Nursing Home Infections Among Elderly Women
Urinary tract infection is one of the most common infections in elderly women living in nursing homes. Asymptomatic bacterial urinary tract infection in nursing homes is another common infection that does not require specific treatment and only requires monitoring. Symptoms of urinary tract infection:
- Frequent urination
- Burning urination
- Severe fever and chills
- Change in urine color and odor
Urinary tract infections occur in two forms: cystitis or bladder infection and pyelonephritis or kidney and urinary tract infection. Elderly people may also use a Foley catheter due to lack of urinary control. Failure to replace the Foley catheter on time and failure to observe hygiene may also cause urinary tract infections in the elderly. Urinary tract infections sometimes lead to hospitalization of the elderly. The elderly may have vague symptoms in these cases, and it is the duty of the doctor and nurse to recognize the problem and act on it as soon as possible.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is another infection that threatens the elderly in nursing homes. The prevalence of pneumonia in people over 70 years of age is approximately 50 times that of people aged 15-19. The symptoms of this disease should be known so that the elderly can be separated from others as soon as possible and taken to the hospital to prevent its spread. Symptoms of pneumonia:
- fever
- sputum
- cough
- Pain in the chest
- Progressive shortness of breath
Pulmonary tuberculosis
Another common nursing home infection is pulmonary tuberculosis. The symptoms of tuberculosis are similar to those of lung infections. The elderly are usually affected by this disease from a young age! But since the immune system of a young person is able to confine the tuberculosis germ in the body, when these people reach the age of 65, due to the weakening of the body’s immune system, the latent infection is reactivated and symptoms of tuberculosis appear.
If symptoms of tuberculosis appear in a nursing home, all people who have been in contact with the patient should be tested for tuberculosis because the patient can infect 5 to 10 people with this disease within a month. Currently, one third of the world’s people are in contact with the tuberculosis germ.
There is a new test called TB, which if the doctor suspects this disease in a nursing home, takes some blood from the elderly and the disease is diagnosed. As a result, the elderly suffering from this disease can be treated in the nursing home.
Among the most important symptoms of tuberculosis are loss of appetite, night sweats, weight loss, paleness and dry cough, which may later turn into normal or bloody sputum. If the elderly have a cough for more than 4 weeks without a cause, they should have a chest x-ray and a sputum test. People with tuberculosis should be hospitalized in an isolation room in the hospital, after 15 days when the pathogenicity of this disease disappears, the patient can return to his previous place.
Bedsore Infection Most Common Nursing Home Infections
Contact ulcers are also common in nursing homes. Elderly people who are bedridden and have mobility impairments are at risk. Nursing homes may not have enough nurses to regularly change the position of elderly people. If Bedsores (pressure ulcers) are not properly cared for, they can become infected and this infection may enter the elderly person’s bloodstream. Sometimes, the infection can lead to death.
Bacteria in the Blood
Bacteremia is another common infection in nursing homes, when bacteria enter the bloodstream. What does it mean when you have bacteria in your blood? Bacteremia often occurs after infectious diseases such as pneumonia, bedsores, and infective endocarditis. More than 50% of patients over 60 years of age who are transferred from the nursing home to the hospital have infective endocarditis, which is an acute disease, and these patients should be treated and admitted to the hospital very soon.
Acute Infectious Diarrhea
Acute infectious diarrhea is one of the leading causes of death in the elderly. 51% of deaths in the elderly occur due to intestinal infections or acute infectious diarrhea. In the process of this disease, the elderly quickly lose their body water, which is very dangerous. As a result of the entry of microbes into the digestive system, the person develops diarrhea and is easily spread.
Meningitis
Meningitis is less common than pneumonia and urinary tract infections in nursing homes, but it has a high mortality rate. Symptoms of meningitis:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Concluding Remarks
Bacterial Arthritis
Joint and bone infections are forms of infectious arthritis. Large joints such as the knee and hip are usually involved. Symptoms of joint infection:
- Fever
- Inability to walk
- Redness and warmth in the joint
Prevention Strategies for Nursing Home Infections
How to prevent infections in nursing homes? Some prevention strategies for infectious diseases in nursing homes are:
- Regular handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infections. Caregivers should wash their hands frequently, especially before interacting with elderly residents.
- Caregivers should wear masks and gloves if they have colds or other contagious illnesses to prevent transmitting infections to residents.
- Regularly wash bed linens and sterilize medical instruments, including thermometers, to maintain a clean environment.
- Clean and cover all cuts, scrapes, and wounds, as even small injuries can lead to infections in immunocompromised patients. Daily inspections of wounds for signs of infection, such as redness or swelling, are essential. Do you know how many calories does an elderly bedridden person need?
- Regularly check residents’ feet for signs of infection, especially since conditions like diabetes increase the risk of foot infections. Proper hygiene and care can help prevent wounds or ingrown toenails.
- Emphasize vaccinations against infectious diseases, such as influenza, pneumonia, and shingles, to reduce the risk of infections among vulnerable elderly populations.
- Seek help from healthcare professionals for proper care techniques that can prevent infections, especially when dealing with open wounds or catheter placements.
- Implementing a structured infection control plan is vital in preventing outbreaks and ensuring safe care practices within nursing homes.
Concluding Remarks
Diagnosing infectious diseases in the elderly is very challengious, particularly those over 60 years old. It highlights that conditions such as influenza and urinary tract infections (UTIs) are often more difficult to identify in older adults. It leading to weaker health, persistent pain, and a higher risk of hospitalization.
Many infectious diseases affecting seniors, especially in nursing homes, are transmitted through direct contact with hands. Therefore, implementing appropriate infection control measures, including regular handwashing and the use of hand sanitizers before interacting with elderly residents, is essential. Caregivers and nursing home staff are urged to maintain strict hygiene practices to protect the health of the elderly population.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the elderly more vulnerable to infectious diseases?
The weakened immune system in the elderly makes them more susceptible to infectious diseases compared to younger individuals. Additionally, seniors may have other medical issues that pave the way for infections. Chronic diseases associated with aging also contribute to this vulnerability.
What are the most common infectious diseases among the elderly?
Four common infectious diseases among the elderly include:
- Bacterial pneumonia
- Influenza in the elderly
- Skin infections in the elderly
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
What are the signs of infection in the elderly?
Instead of typical signs known for infections, infections in the elderly may present with symptoms such as dizziness, delirium, loss of appetite, falls, or a general decline in functional status.
What is the most common infectious disease in nursing homes?
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) may be considered the most common infectious disease among residents of nursing homes. The use of catheters for urine drainage increases the risk of bladder infections and subsequently urinary tract infections.
What is the deadliest respiratory infection among the elderly?
Influenza and pneumonia (lung inflammation) are identified as serious respiratory infections affecting seniors.
What is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection among the elderly?
The most important method for reducing infection transmission among seniors is handwashing—regularly washing hands with soap and water, and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers (containing at least 60% alcohol) when soap and water are not available. Vaccination against infections and viruses is also highly significant.