Up to 1 million Americans are hospitalized for pneumonia each year. This respiratory infection can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, inflaming the lungs and possibly filling them with fluid or pus. That makes it hard to breathe.
Anyone can experience pneumonia, but certain risk factors can raise your chances. At Himalaya Family Medicine Clinic in Aurora, Colorado, our family medicine doctor, Bipin Kumar, MD, provides complete care for pneumonia.
Keep reading to learn five risk factors for pneumonia and how to protect yourself.
Infants (under 2 years old) and seniors (65 and older) have weakened immune systems. That makes it easier for microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, to enter the airways.
At the same time, many older adults have underlying medical conditions that reduce lung capacity, like emphysema. Meanwhile, the immune systems of young children are still developing and unable to provide a robust defense.
Preventive care can go a long way toward protecting these two groups. For example, staying current on vaccines, regularly washing hands, and wiping down high-touch surfaces can help prevent the spread of germs.
Certain medical issues, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can cause inflammation throughout the body. Over time, that can weaken your immune system and make it harder to defend against pneumonia-causing germs.
Even though chronic ailments can’t be cured, you can fight back.
For example, getting vaccinated and taking your medications as prescribed can make your immune system less vulnerable. Other tips include visiting the doctor regularly and taking steps to avoid germs, such as avoiding crowded spaces or wearing a mask.
People who smoke or vape are up to 3 times more likely to develop pneumonia than nonsmokers, depending on the frequency and duration of use. These activities damage your lungs and slowly impair your immune system’s ability to fight off infections.
Smoking can even alter the bacterial composition of your mouth and body, allowing harmful germs to thrive.
Though challenging, quitting is the best decision you can make. We can help you develop a smoking cessation plan that makes it easier to quit while keeping cravings to a minimum.
Common infections, such as the cold and flu, make it easier for pneumonia to develop. The same goes for long hospital stays, especially those involving surgery or ventilators.
Although hospitals are clean environments, exposed surgical wounds can allow germs to enter your body. Similarly, ventilators bypass the lungs’ natural defense mechanisms, making it easier for germs to reach them and cause infection.
If you need a hospital stay, make sure you’re current on all vaccinations. Also, practice good hand hygiene. And if you’re coming off a ventilator, do your daily lung exercises as prescribed.
Germs are everywhere, but they’re much more likely to spread in crowded areas, like classrooms, cruise ships, college dorms, and nursing homes.
Avoiding large crowds isn’t always possible, especially if you work in one of these settings. But you can still help prevent the spread and lower your pneumonia risk.
For example, wiping down high-touch surfaces, such as tables, doorknobs, and elevator buttons, can keep bacteria and viruses from multiplying. We also recommend washing your hands several times daily and getting vaccinated, even if your job or school doesn’t require it.
Pneumonia is treatable, but why not avoid it altogether? If you’re concerned about your risk, schedule an appointment today. Call our office at 303-351-1800 or book online. We can update your vaccinations, examine your lungs, and provide tips for staying pneumonia-free.
