DENGUE IN AN ELDERLY PATIENT

• Published in: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo Vol. 52; no. 3; pp. 163 - 167
• Main Authors: GORZONI, Milton, SILVA MASSAIA, Irineu Francisco Delfino, PIRES, Sueli Luciano
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: São Paulo Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo 01.05.2010; Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo; Instituto de Medicina Tropical
• Subjects: Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - adverse effects; Arboviroses; Biological and medical sciences; Dengue - diagnosis; Dengue - therapy; Dengue fevers; Female; General aspects; Hospitalization; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; Salicylates - adverse effects; Self Medication - adverse effects; Severity of Illness Index; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Tropical viral diseases; Viral diseases; Human; Infection; Drugs; Iatrogenesis; Viral disease; Dengue; Arbovirus disease; Tropical medicine; Communicable disease; Communicable Diseases; Elderly
• ISSN: 0036-4665; 1678-9946; 1678-9946; 0036-4665
• DOI: 10.1590/S0036-46652010000300010

Although elderly populations are more exposed to the risk of getting dengue, the clinical peculiarities of this disease in this age range are not well known. This report is about an 80-year-old woman with dengue complications, self-medicated with salicylate. Literature indicates a more severe clinical condition, high hospitalization rate and significant mortality. This is caused by previous infections by other serotypes of this arbovirus, presence of chronic diseases, immunosenescence and high drug consumption, especially salicylates and the like. Analyses are required in a public health perspective in order to help health professionals that care for patients with dengue in this age range.