5 Significant Risk Factors for Pneumonia 

Pneumonia is more than just a bad cough. It’s a dangerous lung infection that can persist for several weeks. Anybody can get pneumonia, but certain people are at greater risk than others. 

Understanding your risk factors is the first step to protecting yourself and your loved ones against this serious condition.

The team led by Dennis Kellar, MD, and Amanda Law, FPA-APRN, CNP, specializes in pulmonary disorders like pneumonia here at Northwest Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine in Algonquin, Illinois. We work with you to prevent, diagnose, and treat pneumonia. 

Do you know your pneumonia risk?

Unsure of your risk? Here are five significant risk factors for pneumonia you should know:

1. Being over age 65 or younger than 5

Your immune system naturally weakens as you age and is still forming when you’re young, making it harder for your body to fight off infections like pneumonia. 

Pneumonia risk increases each year after 65 and is also higher the younger you are before age 5. For example, a 2-year-old is at a greater risk of pneumonia than a 5-year-old. 

2. Having a chronic disease

Living with a chronic condition like diabetes, heart disease, or asthma stresses your body, leaving less energy to combat infections. These illnesses often weaken your immune system or lung function, creating the perfect conditions for pneumonia.

3. Smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol

Smoking erodes the delicate lining of your lungs, their first line of defense against infection. Without that protection, bacteria and viruses have an open door to cause serious harm. 

Heavy drinking makes things worse by weakening your immune system, leaving your body less able to fight off the germs that can lead to pneumonia. 

Quitting or cutting back can help your lungs and immune system recover, reducing your risk.

4. Interacting with sick people

Being around someone who’s coughing or sneezing can quickly spread the germs that cause pneumonia. It doesn’t matter if it’s your co-worker, your best friend, or even your little one — close contact makes it much easier for those germs to reach you.

Everyday moments like sharing a meal or giving a hug can unknowingly increase your risk.

5. Going out during fall or winter

When the weather turns cold, we tend to spend more time indoors, often in close quarters with others. That creates the perfect environment for viruses to spread, especially in crowded spaces like offices, schools, and holiday gatherings. 

Fall and winter also mark the peak of flu season, and the flu can weaken your immune system, increasing the risk of pneumonia as a complication. 

The combination of chilly temperatures, limited fresh air, and seasonal illnesses means your risk of pneumonia is much higher during these months.

Book your pneumonia consultation in Algonquin, Illinois

Don’t let pneumonia catch you off guard. If you experience telltale symptoms like coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath, contact Northwest Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine by phone or online today.