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Article: When the Water's Bad, Seniors Must Take Care; Immune System Hard Put to Deal With Bacteria
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- July 23, 1996
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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The recurring problems with Washington's aging public water
system can pose some special challenges for the elderly, the reason
experts recommend that seniors pay close attention to public health
warnings.
Seniors are generally more vulnerable to infections than
younger adults, said William H. Adler, chief of clinical immunology
at the National Institute on Aging in Baltimore. A less vigilant
immune system, normal physical changes that accompany aging and the
frequent presence of other medical problems can compound the ill
effects of water-borne infections.
Earlier this month, D.C. public health officials advised
everyone 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems to
boil ...