Older patients are more susceptible to infections because their immune systems are weaker. They also may have additional conditions that open the door for infection. Chronic age-related diseases can contribute to weakness as well.

Are older adults more susceptible to infections?

Older persons generally have greater susceptibility to infections than younger adults. It is well known that aging is associated with immune dysfunction, especially in cell-mediated immunity [ 6 ].

Why are the elderly more susceptible to infection and cancers?

Aging is associated with a reduced capability of the immune system to adequately respond to pathogens and to prevent tumor formation. As a consequence of immunosenescence, older people have a higher risk to develop infections as well as cancer.

Why does immune status increase the susceptibility to infection?

Defects in the T lymphocyte and/or mononuclear phagocytic system result in an increased susceptibility to infection. Cell-mediated immunity plays a primary role in protecting against intracellular pathogens.

What factors increase susceptibility to infections?

Life style risk factors such as aging, poor nutrition, infection and exposure to toxicants can also increase susceptibility to illnesses. These life style factors can therefore be considered to cause acquired susceptibility for increased risk for environmental disease.

What makes the immune system of the elderly weak?

Even though seniors are exposed to countless germs over the years, the thymus is slowly going to shrink. That unique component of the immune system is responsible for sending out healthy T cells to battle germs, and it can’t respond as quickly once it begins to shrink.

Which of the following increases the risk of infection in older adults?

Immunosenescence, comorbidity, malnutrition, and social determinants of health (e.g., nursing home residence, poor access to care) increase the risk of infections in older adults (2). Infection is the primary cause of death in one third of individuals aged 65 years and over.

What are five factors that make someone a susceptible host to an infection?

Host susceptibility is affected by many factors such as nutritional status, intercurrent disease, pregnancy, immunosuppressive drugs and malignancy.

What are the three 3 factors that affect the likelihood of infection from a pathogen?

Common pathogen factors are immune evasion, high viral load and low infectious dose.

What are susceptibility factors?

A condition that increases a person’s likelihood of acquiring a disease. The propensity to develop disease is often the result of a genetic mutation in a single base DNA base pair. See also: factor.