Respiratory infections in nursing homes are among the most common and serious health issues in communal living facilities. Studies report pneumonia incidence rates as high as 41.2%, influenza affecting up to 85.2% of residents, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) impacting up to 13.5%.
These respiratory illnesses can escalate into life-threatening conditions, particularly for elderly residents with weakened immune systems. While they are sometimes unavoidable, many respiratory issues are exacerbated or caused by nursing home neglect.
Learn about the connection between nursing home neglect and respiratory infections, signs of infection in nursing homes, and how a skilled elder abuse attorney can help you take legal action if negligence caused your loved one’s illness.
Common Respiratory Infections in Nursing Homes
Respiratory infections in nursing homes pose significant risks for elderly residents. Common respiratory infections include:
- Pneumonia. Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes the air sacs to fill with fluid or pus, leading to symptoms like coughing, fever, and difficulty breathing. Untreated pneumonia in nursing homes can cause respiratory failure or sepsis, which are life-threatening. The mortality rate for severe pneumonia is around 20%.
- Bronchitis. This condition is an inflammation of the airways that starts with coughing and chest discomfort. It can lead to pneumonia or chronic breathing problems if it progresses.
- Influenza. The flu is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system, causing fever, cough, and muscle aches. Up to 85% of influenza deaths each year occur in those over 65 due to complications like pneumonia or dehydration.
- Tuberculosis (TB). TB is a bacterial infection that begins with coughing and fatigue. Over time, it can cause extensive lung damage and severe breathing difficulties.
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is a common respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing. In severe cases, it can develop into pneumonia or bronchiolitis—with 160,000 annual hospitalizations for older adults in the U.S.
- COVID-19. This viral infection affects the respiratory system, often causing fever, cough, and shortness of breath. It can quickly progress to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, or multi-organ failure, resulting in high mortality rates. By 2022, 23% of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. were in long-term care facilities like nursing homes.
Causes of Respiratory Infections in Nursing Homes
Infections spread quickly in nursing homes due to the close proximity of residents and the frequent interactions within these facilities. Understanding how infections spread in these facilities can help protect your loved one.
It can also help you recognize when their illness may be due to improper care, such as a lack of nursing home hygiene and infection control, and take legal action. Common causes of respiratory infections in nursing homes include:
| Causes | Explanation |
| Poor Hygiene Practices | Residents may struggle with personal hygiene when staff fail to provide adequate assistance, increasing infection risks. |
| High-Risk Health Conditions | Chronic illnesses make residents more vulnerable to infections and increase the likelihood of complications. |
| Shared Surfaces and Common Areas | Frequently touched surfaces and shared spaces allow germs to spread easily among residents, staff, and visitors. |
| Transmission Through Staff and Visitors | Staff and visitors often introduce illnesses to the facility, spreading them through direct contact or contaminated items. |
| Lack of Infection Control | Inadequate infection control measures make it harder to contain outbreaks, allowing infections to spread rapidly. |
| Staff Hygiene and Flu Vaccinations | Poor staff hygiene and low vaccination rates increase the risk of seasonal outbreaks and respiratory infections. |
Warning Signs of Respiratory Infections in the Elderly
Recognizing symptoms early can help prevent respiratory infections in an elderly loved one and get them immediate medical care. When visiting, watch for these symptoms:
- Persistent coughing or wheezing
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Fever or chills
- Fatigue or sudden weakness
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Confusion or changes in mental alertness
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Fever (though it may be absent in elderly residents)
- Swollen lymph nodes or sinus pain
Complications of Untreated Infections
When respiratory infections in nursing homes are not identified and treated early, they can progress into severe and even life-threatening conditions like the following:
- Aspiration pneumonia. Aspiration pneumonia occurs when food, liquid, or vomit enters the lungs, causing infection and inflammation. If not addressed immediately, it can lead to severe breathing difficulties, lung abscesses, or respiratory failure.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Infections like bronchitis can worsen COPD, restricting airflow and making breathing difficult. Often triggered by infections, flare-ups can result in hospitalization or become life-threatening. Nearly 54% of nursing home residents with heart failure also have COPD.
- Sepsis. If bacteria enter the bloodstream, infections like pneumonia can progress to sepsis, a potentially fatal systemic infection. Elderly individuals are especially susceptible to sepsis due to their weakened immune systems.
- Respiratory failure. In severe cases, untreated respiratory infections can lead to respiratory failure, where the lungs can no longer supply enough oxygen to the body. Acute respiratory failure has a mortality rate of between 35% and 46%.
Role of Nursing Home Neglect in Respiratory Infections
There is a strong link between respiratory infections and elder care neglect. Like infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), respiratory issues are often caused by the neglectful actions of nursing home staff, administrators, or medical providers. One study found that residents who exhibited clinical signs of neglect had a higher risk of death within 90 days.
Examples of nursing home neglect that can lead to respiratory infections include:
Poor Sanitation Practices
- Failing to disinfect high-touch surfaces like handrails or doorknobs
- Neglecting to clean shared dining or recreation areas regularly
- Allowing spills or waste to remain uncleaned
- Using dirty or improperly sterilized medical equipment
Undertrained or Negligent Staff
- Skipping proper handwashing between resident interactions
- Not recognizing or addressing early signs of infection
- Using incorrect procedures for isolating sick residents
- Working while symptomatic or not following infection control protocols
Improper Handling of Resident Hygiene Needs
- Neglecting to assist residents with bathing or grooming
- Failing to change soiled clothing, bedding, or incontinence products
- Ignoring the need for regular oral hygiene
- Allowing residents to eat or drink with unclean utensils or surfaces
Legal Options for Nursing Home Neglect Infections
If your loved one suffered a respiratory infection from nursing home neglect, you have the right to hold the facility accountable and seek compensation. Consider the following to help you understand when to take legal action and what to do:
When To Consider Legal Action
Legal action may be warranted in various situations, including:
- Your loved one developed an infection due to unclean bedding, utensils, or surfaces.
- Staff ignored symptoms of illness, leading to serious complications.
- The facility failed to isolate sick residents, causing an outbreak.
- Repeated neglect in hygiene or infection control resulted in harm.
Steps To Take
Taking legal action for nursing home neglect requires careful preparation and documentation. Families can follow these steps to strengthen their case:
- Document evidence of neglect. Take photos or videos of unclean areas, such as dirty bedding, bathrooms, or common spaces, and keep a journal of neglected care or ignored symptoms.
- Request medical records. Obtain records showing the infection’s progression, treatments provided, and any complications to connect the facility’s neglect to the resident’s condition.
- Speak with witnesses. Gather statements from other residents, family members, or staff who witnessed neglect or unsafe conditions.
- File a complaint with California authorities. Report neglect to the California Department of Public Health for investigation and accountability.
- Consult an experienced attorney. Speak with a skilled nursing home abuse attorney who can review your loved one’s case, explain your rights, and help your family pursue legal action.
Take Action to Protect Your Loved Ones
Respiratory infections in nursing homes are a serious concern, but many cases can be prevented with proper care and attention. Elderly respiratory infection prevention can include regular handwashing by staff and residents, timely disinfection of shared surfaces, and proper training for caregivers in high-risk settings.
When facilities fail to protect their residents, the consequences can be devastating. If you suspect that a loved one has suffered due to nursing home neglect involving respiratory infections, contact a qualified nursing home neglect attorney for a free case review. They can assess your case and help you take the next steps to hold the neglectful facility accountable and seek compensation for the harm caused.
