NURSING IN THE CASE OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: INFECTIONS
A debilitated person, one suffering from a chronic disease, is more likely to suffer from infections. Some of these have already been mentioned, such as the skin rashes that develop in hot, sweaty places that are not kept clean and the infection that can occur in the urinary tract, causing cystitis and frequently incontinence of urine. There are many other infections, the most important of which is probably pneumonia. There may well be little outward sign of pneumonia because many old people don’t have a rise in temperature or produce phlegm as younger people do when they develop the infection. It can only be diagnosed by a doctor’s careful examination. Often the only clue to the presence of any infection may be a worsening of the level of confusion. If this happens without there being an obvious cause, it is important to ask the doctor to come and assess the situation.
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