Term Paper on "Peer Review Viral Infections in the Elderly"

Term Paper 4 pages (1138 words) Sources: 4 Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Mazen Bader and David S. McKinsey, the authors of "Viral infections in the elderly" (2005) are associated with academic places of research. Specifically, Bader is a Canadian assistant professor of medicine and infectious diseases at Memorial University of Newfoundland Health Sciences Center, St. John's. McKinsey is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City and an attending physician at Infectious Disease Associates, Kansas City, Missouri. This suggests that the authors do not have an inherent bias or vested interest in the research findings, and also they have the advantage of bringing both research-based and in the case of McKinsey, clinical experience to their conclusions.

Type of article

Postgraduate Medicine is a peer-reviewed journal with a largely professional audience. As exemplified in its title, its target audience is practicing physicians and researchers of medical issues with experience in the field of medical research and practice.

Introduction: What is the article about?

The article is an epidemiological overview of the problems of managing viral infections in the elderly, including the difficulties of diagnosis and treatment. It also offers advice on preventative care, such as vaccinations. The article focuses on the herpes zoster virus (more commonly known as shingles) and respiratory diseases caused by influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Regarding herpes zoster, many people have the virus incubated within their system because they contracted chicken pox as young adults. As people age, their immune system weakens making them vulnerable to an attack of shingles, a reoccurrence of the virus. The most common symptoms are rash, and after pain. Influenza, although problematic for any age group and population, is a particularly severe problem for older adults living in either the larger community or in long-term care facilities. Influenza can pose more significant problems for the elderly, not the least of which, from a clinical perspective, is that of diagnosis, as the elderly may exhibit atypical symptoms as compared with younger patients, and they are more likely to develop secondary bacterial influenza

Claims: Does the article make any claims about treatment of the infectious disease?

The article makes an implicit claim of the impact shingles after-pain can have on an elderly individual's life, including loss of sleep and weight, a loss of independence, social isolation, and an inability to perform tasks of daily living. It may eventually lead to a loss of independence and, ultimately, depression and isolation. The article warns that side effects in the elderly must be guarded against when considering drugs to treat the ailment. Influenza likewise can result in difficulties performing positional activities necessary to the acts of daily life like getting out of a chair and instrumental activities of daily living like housework. Some elderly patients may also suffer an exacerbation of their other medical conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or congestive heart failure.

The article stresses the need for prevention actions, specifically in regards to influenza which can be controlled through by yearly administration of inactivated influenza virus vaccine. This is especially important for adults aged 50 years and older and for all residents of long-term care facilities. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends influenza vaccination for all elderly patients and residents of long-term facilities.

Does the article provide a national or global perspective about the infectious disease?

The article does not provide a global study of… READ MORE

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