Chest Infections in the Elderly

Chest infections can affect anyone of any age, but elderly people may be more susceptible to common recurrences and more serious health impacts as a result. This happens for a number of reasons, including frailty, weakened immune systems and pre-existing health conditions.

Chest infections are among the most common infections in the elderly, so it’s vital to know the signs, symptoms, and treatments to prevent illness and minimise the risk of more serious complications.

Today, we’ll explore everything you need to know about chest infections in the elderly, including symptoms, treatments and how to minimise your risk. We’ll also look at how dedicated care can help during cold and flu seasons.

What is a chest infection?

A chest infection is an umbrella term for an infection of the lungs or large airways. Most chest infections are mild and clear up on their own without medical intervention, but others can be life-threatening.

The most common types of chest infections are pneumonia and bronchitis. Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in the lungs’ air sacs, often caused by bacterial or viral infections. Bronchitis is a viral infection of the bronchial tubes, often appearing following a cold or flu.

Symptoms of a chest infection in the elderly

A chest infection is often characterised by a number of specific symptoms, including:

A chesty cough, sometimes with bright-coloured mucus
Wheezing and shortness of breath
Pain in the chest
A high temperature
A constant headache
Aching muscles
Tiredness and fatigue

Older adults may experience additional symptoms when dealing with a chest infection compared to younger, healthy adults. Chest infections in the elderly can cause:

Weakness and extreme fatigue, increasing the risk of falling
A lower body temperature than normal
Confusion or delirium
Inability to perform daily activities
Incontinence
Reduced appetite
Worsening pre-existing health conditions

Causes of chest infections in older adults

Most types of chest infections are spread through the air by droplets from an infected person coughing or sneezing in someone else’s vicinity. Elderly people are more likely to acquire the germs from a range of places, including:

Their community: You can catch a chest infection without coming into contact with infected people around you. Chest infections are contagious, so people may carry the germs without knowing, passing them onto anyone else they see.
Hospitals: Hospitals contain a higher number of sick people in close proximity, making it easier for disease to spread. If an older adult has a hospital stay and comes close to someone with a chest infection, or who’s been in contact with someone else who has one, they’re more likely to catch it.
Mealtimes: Older adults are more likely to inhale food or saliva into their lungs while they’re eating, which can cause an infection. This is most common in elderly patients who suffer from swallowing disorders.

Why are elderly people more at risk of developing chest infections?

Chest infections are more common in young children and elderly adults. The lasting effects of this illness can also be more debilitating for older adults, so prevention is key. There are a number of reasons why older people are more at risk of developing chest infections, including:

Weaker immune system: As we age, our immune system tends to get weaker, making us more vulnerable to infections. When the immune system comes into contact with bacterial or viral infections, it struggles to fight them off, letting them take over the body and cause worsening symptoms. This also increases the risk of complications developing.
Higher risk of hospital stays: Elderly people are more likely to need extended hospital stays, which increases their risk of catching and developing a chest infection. If the reason they’re in the hospital also compromises their immune system, such as surgery or chronic illness treatment, their reaction to the infection might be stronger.
Breathing and swallowing impairments: Older adults are more likely to develop health conditions that cause swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), such as Parkinson’s. This increases the risk of inhaling things into the lungs, which can remain there and cause infections in the chest.
Underlying health conditions: With age comes an increased risk of health conditions that make us more susceptible to chest infections, such as diabetes. Medications to treat chronic health conditions might also suppress the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off the infections it catches.
Frailty: Frailty in the elderly is common in people over the age of 65 and reduces the body’s resilience to minor illnesses. While most people can fight off a common cold within a matter of days, frail people are more likely to develop a chest infection afterwards.

Preventing chest infections in the elderly

There are several ways to prevent a chest infection in older adults, but it’s important to remember that these methods aren’t fool proof. Some people carry chest infection germs without symptoms, passing them onto vulnerable people without knowing.

To minimise the risk of developing a chest infection, consider:

Get vaccinated: Keep up to date with your yearly flu and pneumococcal vaccines to prevent certain illnesses from turning into chest infections.
Wash your hands regularly: Stop the spread of many types of infection by practising good hand hygiene.
Stop smoking: Smoking damages the lungs and makes them much more susceptible to respiratory infections.
Making healthy lifestyle choices: Healthy choices like eating a balanced diet, exercising and sleeping well can boost overall health and keep the immune system strong.
Manage underlying health issues: A good treatment plan can minimise the risk of chest infections developing as a result of other health issues and chronic conditions.
Keep warm in the winter: Chest infections are most prevalent in the winter, so stay safe and warm indoors to lower the risk of developing one.

Treatments for chest infections in the elderly

Most chest infections will be treatable at home, but whether you need medical intervention or not depends on your symptoms and overall health. Some older adults will need to be hospitalised for a short amount of time while doctors get their symptoms under control.

The most effective treatment for chest infections is antibiotics, provided your illness is caused by bacteria. Viral infections can’t be treated with medications, so the best way to recover is to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Fungal chest infections are rare, but they can be treated with antifungal medication if you develop one.

Recovering from a chest infection with help from Trinity Homecare

The recovery period from a chest infection varies from person to person, but with the right treatment plan from your doctor, you should recover within two to four weeks. A chest infection can wreak havoc on your energy levels, mobility and cognitive function, so recovering at home might not be as simple as you hope. This is where Trinity Homecare’s CQC-rated ‘Outstanding’ live-in care services come in.

Whether you’ve been released from hospital after a short-term stay or been given antibiotics to take at home, it’s common that you’ll need some form of help from a visiting or live-in carer. Our friendly and compassionate carers can help by:

Managing and watching symptoms: A carer will ensure your symptoms don’t progress to the point of needing medical assistance, and manage current symptoms by promoting rest and plenty of fluids.
Medication management: If you’ve been prescribed antibiotics, your carer will ensure you don’t miss a dose through timely reminders.
Personal care: If you don’t have the energy to keep up with personal care, a carer will assist you to prevent the spread of germs and help you feel better.
Cooking nutritious meals: A carer will prepare and cook healthy meals that fuel the body and immune system, making it easier to fight off the infection.
Encourage gentle exercise: Your carer can encourage you to keep moving to maintain your independence and aid your recovery.
Assist with mobility: Chest infections can cause delirium and balance issues in older people, so a carer can help you move around the house to minimise your risk of falling.
Offer companionship: Recovering from a chest infection can be lonely, especially when you’re trying to minimise the spread of the disease. A carer can offer companionship and emotional support while you get back on your feet.

Our bespoke live-in care is completely tailored to you, offering specialist support for a number of different circumstances. Choose short-term care to support you while recovering from your chest infection, or extend our services for longer-term support at home. No matter what care needs you require, Trinity Homecare shapes its care plan around you.

Talk to us today

If your loved one requires home care, chat with one of our friendly care team today. We offer a free, no-obligation enquiry and assessment service and are happy to offer information and advice to help you find the perfect home care solution.

Call us on 020 4572 5583 in confidence for a free no obligation quotation. If enquiring outside of our opening hours, please complete our online form and we will contact you the next day.