Public health and antiseptic measures, vaccination and antibiotics, have all contributed to the reduction in the incidence and impact of diseases due to infections in younger age groups. Unfortunately, however, infections remain a very important cause of both morbidity and mortality in the elderly. The reasons for the continued effect of infection on the older person are multifactorial. Firstly, the immune response alters with age and may result in opportunistic infections. Secondly, while the diagnosis and management of some infections in the elderly can present little problem, altered signs...