Guidance for Outbreak Investigation of Infectious Diseases Among the Elderly

Abstract

     Thailand is transitioning into an aging society, where elderly individuals undergo physiological changes due to increased age, including alterations in their immune systems. This makes them more susceptible to various infectious diseases and increases the likelihood of outbreaks. The epidemiological description of infectious diseases in the elderly and the investigation guidelines for such diseases in Thailand are limited. This article aims to summarize the epidemiology of infectious diseases in the elderly and propose investigation guidelines for infectious diseases in this demographic. The author has reviewed information from documents, textbooks, and research articles from both domestic and international sources and written the article in their own words. Infectious diseases in the elderly have a high morbidity and mortality rate if not promptly diagnosed, as older individuals often present with atypical symptoms compared to younger adults, such as the absence of fever but experiencing other symptoms like fatigue and reduced appetite. In outbreak investigation of infectious diseases among the elderly, a crucial step is defining case-finding criteria that do not emphasize a single symptom, such as fever. Additionally, the case-finding process should involve extended screening time, use of easily understandable language, and collaboration with local personnel familiar with communicating with the elderly. This approach ensures more accurate identification of the outbreak size and aids in determining the factors contributing to the outbreak, as well as establishing comprehensive and sustainable measures to prevent future outbreaks.