Risk Factors for Pneumonia

A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.

It is possible to develop pneumonia with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing pneumonia. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your healthcare provider what you can do to reduce your risk.

Smoking and Second-hand Smoke

People who smoke have a much higher risk of developing pneumonia. If you stop smoking, your risk will gradually return to normal. However, this may take as long as ten years.

You are also at risk for pneumonia if you are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke. For example, children in households where the parents smoke have higher rates of pneumonia than do children in smoke-free households.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse

]]>Alcohol]]> and ]]>drug abuse]]> make you more susceptible to pneumonia.

Crowded Living Conditions

The risk of pneumonia is increased among people living in crowded conditions, such as:

• Students in dormitories
• Patients living in institutions
• Military personnel in barracks

Medical Conditions

People who are hospitalized have a much higher risk of developing pneumonia than do nonhospitalized individuals. This risk is even higher for patients who have recently undergone major surgery or who are on ventilators. Other medical conditions that can increase your risk of developing pneumonia include:

• Conditions that interfere with your gag reflex:
  • ]]>Stroke]]>
  • ]]>Multiple sclerosis]]>
  • ]]>Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]]>
  • Head injury
  • Senile dementia, ]]>Alzheimer’s disease]]>
• Conditions that weaken your immune system:
  • ]]>AIDS]]>
  • History of organ transplant
  • Cancer (especially ]]>leukemia]]> and ]]>Hodgkin’s disease]]> )
  • Chemotherapy drugs
  • Immunosuppressant drugs (including steroids)
• ]]>Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]]> (COPD)
• Diabetes
• Chronic sinus infections
• Allergies
• Kidney disease
• ]]>Congestive heart failure]]>
• Poor nutrition
• Generally debilitated state
• ]]>Asthma]]>
• Liver disease
• Recent antibiotic use
• Ventilator use

Children have a higher risk of developing pneumonia if they have:

• Weakened immune systems
• ]]>Gastroesophageal reflux disorder]]>
• Lung or heart defects
• ]]>Asthma]]>
• Nervous system defects that affect the muscles of the mouth and/or throat

Age

Pneumonia is more common among certain age groups:

• Infants
• Young children
• Elderly

Genetic Factors

A number of genetic disorders can predispose you to pneumonia, such as:

• ]]>Sickle cell anemia]]>
• ]]>Cystic fibrosis]]>
• Kartagener’s syndrome

Environmental Factors

Occupational exposure to toxic chemical fumes and/or smoke can weaken your lung’s defenses, predisposing you to pneumonia.

Intravenous Drug Use

Intravenous drug use can increase your risk of pneumonia and other infectious diseases.