The best strategy to be taken for viral infections is prevention. All people, but especially the elderly, are encouraged to be vaccinated each year against the flu. The best viral therapy presently used is amantadine. A second type of lung infection that targets the elderly is tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a lung disease caused by a type of bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis is spread through respiratory secretions emitted by coughing.
This bacteria is particularly insidious since it not only infects the lungs, but it also easily spreads to the kidneys and brain. Any condition that reduces the immune resistance will increase the likelihood of tuberculosis infection, sometimes spring from a dormant state from a previous infection. These tuberculosis is particularly difficult due to the increased likelihood of antibiotic and bactericial resistance. Another disease affecting the lungs is broadly described as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The most common disease within this category is emphysema.