Gastrointestinal infections a growing threat to elderly - Nation

Gastrointestinal infections are killing more and more people in the United States and have become a particular threat to the elderly, according to new federal data. Deaths from the infections more than doubled from 1999 to 2007, from 7,000 a year to more than 17,000 a year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. Of thosewho died, 83 percent were over age 65.