Viral diseases are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly patients, whether they live in the community or in long-term care facilities. Management of viral infections in older adults is complicated by factors that include the infrequency or absence of common signs and symptoms of infection and adverse drug reactions. In this article, Drs Bader and McKinsey discuss the clinical features and treatment of herpes zoster and the respiratory diseases caused by influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).