Medical experts warn of atypical infection symptoms in elderly patients

At a medical meeting organized by the Turkish Association of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (EKMUD) and the Turkish Hospital Infection and Control Association, experts discussed healthcare-associated infections and sepsis in elderly patients.

Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Ulu Kılıç from Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine warned that infections in older adults may not present with classic symptoms like fever or pain. Instead, clinicians should watch for subtle signs such as sudden confusion, loss of appetite, weakness, falls, or rapid changes in general condition.

The meeting emphasized that early intervention in sepsis is critical for survival. Treatment planning for elderly patients must account for existing comorbidities, current medications, and nutritional status. Prevention strategies, including vaccination, hand hygiene, balanced nutrition, and chronic disease management, were also highlighted as essential components of care.