058 – Avoiding Missed Flu in Older Adults

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains why influenza is easily missed in older adults and what families can do, to help their older loved ones get diagnosed and treated before it’s too late. She covers:

• Recently published research finding that hospitalized older adults often aren’t tested for the flu virus
• Why it’s important to not miss the flu in older adults
• The usual symptoms of “influenza-like illness”
• Common symptoms of influenza in older adults
• Why older adults may not show typical influenza symptoms
• What the CDC currently recommends, regarding influenza diagnosis and treatment
• What to do, if an older person falls ill during influenza season

Related episode: 

050 – Flu Shots for Older Adults: What to Know

Related Resources:

• Why the Flu is Often Missed in Older Adults (And What to Do About This)
• Flu Shots for Older Adults: What to Know & Do
• Underdiagnosis of influenza virus infection in hospitalized older adults
• 10 Things to Know About Delirium
• Aging of the Immune System. Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets
• CDC: Seasonal Influenza A(H3N2) Activity and Antiviral Treatment of Patients with Influenza (Dec 2017)