Who Is At Risk for Pneumonia?

Pneumonia can affect people of all ages. However, two age groups are at greater risk of developing pneumonia:

• Infants who are 2 years or younger, because their immune systems are still developing during the first few years of life
• People who are 65 years or older

Other conditions and factors also raise your risk for pneumonia. You’re more likely to get pneumonia if you have a lung disease or other serious disease. Examples include cystic fibrosis, asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), bronchiectasis, diabetes, heart failure, and sickle cell anemia.

You’re at greater risk for pneumonia if you’re in a hospital intensive-care unit, especially if you’re on a ventilator (a machine to help you breathe).

Having a weak or suppressed immune system also can raise your risk. A weak immune system may be the result of a disease such as HIV/AIDS. A suppressed immune system may be due to an organ or bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy (treatment for cancer), or long-term steroid use.

Your risk also goes up if you have trouble coughing because of a stroke, trouble swallowing, limited ability to move, alcohol use, or sedation (being given medicine to make you relaxed or sleepy).

Smoking cigarettes, abusing alcohol, and being undernourished also raise your risk for pneumonia. Your risk also goes up if you’ve recently had a cold or the flu, or if you’re exposed to certain chemicals, pollutants, or toxic fumes.