Pneumonia in the elderly in the emergency department

Community-acquired pneumonia is frequent in the elderly. Because of its subtle clinical presentation, and atypical symptoms, chest radiography is recommended as part of the routine evaluations to establish the diagnosis for all patients. Tachypnea must be systematically researched. Prognostic scoring systems help to decide if hospitalization is necessary or not, but do not take the social context into account. Streptococcus pneumoniae is still the main pathogen identified in the elderly; however the initial empirical antibiotherapy must be active against Gram-negative bacilli and Staphylococcus species.