Pneumonia - What Increases Your Risk
You are more likely to get pneumonia if you:
- Smoke. Cigarette smoking is the strongest risk factor for pneumonia in healthy young people.2
- Have another medical condition, especially lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma.
- Are younger than 1 year of age or older than 65.
- Have an impaired immune system.
- Take medicine called a proton pump inhibitor (such as Prilosec or Protonix) that reduces the amount of stomach acid.3, 4
- Drink excessive amounts of alcohol.
- Recently had a cold or the flu.
You are more likely to have complications of pneumonia and may need to go to the hospital if you:
Lung diseases are some of the most common medical conditions worldwide. Tens of millions of people suffer from lung disease in the U.S. Smoking, infections, and genetics are responsible for most lung diseases. The lungs are part of a complex apparatus, expanding and relaxing thousands of times daily to bring in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. Lung disease can result from problems in any part of this system.
Read the Lung Diseases Overview article > >
- Are older than 65.
- Have some other illness (such as COPD, diabetes, or asthma), or have gone to the hospital for a medical problem within the last 3 months.
- Have had your spleen removed or do not have a working spleen (such as in sickle cell disease).
- Have an alcohol use problem.
- Have a weak immune system.
- Reside in a place where people live close together, such as a college dorm or nursing home.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
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