PERSPECTIVE - AGING AND INFECTIOUS-DISEASES - PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

As we enter into the 21st century, infectious disease specialists will be managing a greater number and proportion of patients with infectio ns who are greater than or equal to 65 years old. Much has been learne d about aging, host resistance, and infections over the past 15 years. However, if we are to meet the challenge of the complex issues of ger iatric infectious diseases, infectious disease clinicians, teachers, a nd researchers must assume a more proactive role in clinical care, tra ining, education, and research on problems and issues confronting the aging population.