Primary Article
Hand Infections in the Elderly
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Diagnosis and management of hand infections in the elderly can be challenging. The general principles of rest, elevation; compresses, and drainage when appropriate apply. Antibiotics are important to therapy. Review of data from elderly patients and comparison with a younger population having identical infections show a number of important differences. Temperature, pulse, and white blood cell and differential counts were not elevated significantly enough to be useful. Culture data show fewer pure Staphylococcus aureus infections (20%) and fewer pure gram-positive infections (20%) than the 34% and 56% respectively in a younger population. On the other hand, there were significantly more mixed gram-positive and gram-negative infections (60%). Significantly, the average number of organisms per infection is increased (2.4 vs 1.9 per infection). Antibiotic susceptibility is significantly worse. The cephalosporins and the penicillinase-resistant antibiotics remain good choices.This content is limited to qualifying members.
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