Fever in Older Persons

Abstract

Fever in older adults poses unique challenges due to atypical symptoms, weakened immune responses, and comorbidities. This chapter explores the diverse presentations of fever in the elderly, emphasizing the importance of vigilant monitoring and tailored interventions by healthcare providers and caregivers. Challenges in temperature measurement, communication barriers, and polypharmacy further complicate fever management. The chapter discusses the differences between fever presentations in young and older individuals and addresses the complexities of managing fever in long-term care facilities. In addition, it highlights fever of unknown origin in older persons, stressing the need for timely diagnosis and tailored investigations. Finally, preventive strategies, including vaccination campaigns and infection control measures, are proposed to mitigate fever occurrences in older adults.

Keywords

• atypical presentations
• fever of unknown origin
• temperature
• vaccination