Pneumonies infectieuses du sujet âgé : particularités sémiologiques et approche thérapeutique

Pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly and represents the first cause of infection-related death. The clinical characteristics of pneumonia in the elderly differ substantially compared with younger patients. The severity of the disease is strongly associated with increased age and comorbidities. Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the most important cause of community-acquired pneumonia. Pneumonia due to Haemophilus influenzae, enteric gram-negative bacilli, and Staphylococcus aureus occurs more frequently in the elderly. In most cases, it is not possible to identify the etiologic agent so antibiotic treatment is empirically prescribed. Appropriate antibiotic treatment reduces the duration of symptoms, the risk of complications and mortality.