NEW YORK, N.Y.—A New York Times article this week brings to the masses the fact that gastrointestinal infections are killing a great many people in the United States, and are a particular threat to the elderly.
The article states, "Gastrointestinal infections are killing more and more people in the United States and have become a particular threat to the elderly, according to new data released last week.
"Deaths from the infections more than doubled from 1999 to 2007, to more than 17,000 a year from 7,000 a year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. Of those who died, 83 percent were over age 65.
"Two thirds of the deaths were caused by a bacterium, Clostridium difficile, which people often contract in hospitals and nursing homes, particularly when they have been taking antibiotics. The bacteria have grown increasingly virulent and resistant to treatment in recent years."
