Common Infections

Infections result in significant morbidity and mortality in older adult patients who are homebound. Drivers of infection include multi-morbidity, poor nutritional status, and aging-related diminution in immunity. Pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and cellulitis are some of the most common acute infections with which homebound patients grapple and which can pose significant clinical challenges for healthcare providers. This chapter will explore the diagnoses, etiologies, and therapeutic options for these infections and guidelines-directed methodological approaches to treatment in the home.