Pneumonia and hospitalizations in the elderly

Pneumonia in the elderly is a common and severe problem. In this review we analyze the state of the art for pneumonia in the elderly. Several aspects are discussed: i) how common is the disease; signs and symptoms in the elderly; ii) the elderly must always be hospitalized and which is the best place - Intensive Care Unit or medical ward?; iii) the role of comorbidities; iv) etiology and pathogenesis; medical treatment - when and how to start; v) antibiotic resistance; vi) antibiotics in hospital acquired and ventilator related pneumonia; vii) assisted non-invasive ventilation; viii) the treatment in the terminally ill elderly patient.