What're the risk factors for pneumonia?

The elderly (who tend to have diminished cough and gag reflexes and faltering immune
systems) and infants and young children (who have immature immune systems and small
airways) are at greater risk of community-acquired pneumonia
(CAP) than are young and middle-aged adults.

Certain individuals, such as the elderly, the very young, and those with chronic or severe
medical conditions, are of course at higher risk of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
Hospitalized patients are particularly vulnerable to gram-negative bacteria and
staphylococci, which can be very dangerous, particularly in people who are already ill.

People, especially the elderly, who have recently had surgery or suffered a traumatic injury
are also more likely to develop pneumonia because they are less able to breathe deeply,
cough, and get rid of mucous.

Pneumonia is more likely to occur in people whose immune system is weakened by an

existing illness, such as the flu, cancer, or AIDS, and in people with chronic conditions, such
as sickle cell disease, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, asthma, chronic bronchitis,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, or cystic fibrosis.

Recruits on military bases and college students are at higher than average risk for
Mycoplasma pneumonia , which is usually mild. These groups are at lower risk, however, for
more serious types of pneumonia.

Frequent exposure to cigarette smoke can affect the lungs in ways that make a person more
likely to develop pneumonia. The risk for pneumonia in smokers of more than a pack a day
is three times that of nonsmokers. Those who are chronically exposed to cigarette smoke,
which can injure airways and damage the cilia, are also at risk. Toxic fumes, industrial
smoke, and other air pollutants may also damage cilia function, which is a defense again
bacteria in the lungs.

Alcohol or drug abuse is strongly associated with pneumonia. These substances act as
sedatives and can diminish the reflexes that trigger coughing and sneezing. Alcohol also
interferes with the actions of macrophages, the white blood cells that destroy bacteria and
other microbes. Intravenous drug abusers are at risk for pneumonia from infections that
originate at the injection site and spread through the blood stream to the lungs.

http://respiratory-lung.health-cares.net/pneumonia-risk-factors.php

Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staff
Factors associated with an increased risk of pneumonia include:

 Age. If you're age 65 or older, particularly if you have other conditions

that make you more prone to developing pneumonia, you're at increased
risk of pneumonia. Very young children, whose immune systems aren't
fully developed, also are at increased risk of pneumonia.
  Certain diseases. These include immune deficiency diseases such as
HIV/AIDS and chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease,
emphysema and other lung diseases, and diabetes. You're also at
increased risk if your immune system has been impaired by chemotherapy
or long-term use of immunosuppressant drugs.

 Smoking, alcohol abuse. Millions of microscopic hairs (cilia) cover the

surface of the cells lining your bronchial tubes. The hairs beat in a wave-
like fashion to clear your airways of normal secretions, but irritants such
as tobacco smoke paralyze the cilia, causing secretions to accumulate. If
these secretions contain bacteria, they can develop into pneumonia.
Alcohol interferes with your normal gag reflex as well as with the action of
the white blood cells that fight infection.

 Hospitalization in an intensive care unit. Pneumonia acquired in the

hospital tends to be more serious than other types of pneumonia. People
who need mechanical ventilation are particularly at risk because the
breathing tube bypasses the normal defenses of the upper respiratory
tract, prevents coughing, may allow the stomach's contents to back up
into the esophagus where they can be inhaled (aspirated), and can harbor
bacteria and other harmful organisms.

 Having COPD and using inhaled corticosteroids for more than 24

weeks. Research indicates that this greatly increases your risk of
developing pneumonia, possibly serious pneumonia.

 Exposure to certain chemicals or pollutants. Your risk of developing

some uncommon types of pneumonia may be increased if you work in
agriculture, in construction or around certain industrial chemicals or
animals. Exposure to air pollution or toxic fumes can also contribute to
lung inflammation, which makes it harder for the lungs to clear
themselves.

 Surgery or traumatic injury. People who've had surgery or who are

immobilized from a traumatic injury have a higher risk of pneumonia
because surgery or serious injuries may make coughing — which helps
clear your lungs — more difficult, and lying flat can allow mucus to collect
in your lungs, providing a breeding ground for bacteria.

 Ethnicity. If you're a Native Alaskan or from certain Native American

tribes, you're at greater risk for contracting pneumonia.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pneumonia/DS00135/DSECTION=risk-factors

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:

o :: Stroke
o :: Multiple sclerosis
o :: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
o Head injury
o Senile dementia, :: Alzheimer’s disease
• Conditions that weaken your immune system:
o :: AIDS
o History of organ transplant
o Cancer (especially :: leukemia and :: Hodgkin’s disease )
o Chemotherapy drugs
o 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.

References

American Lung Association website. Available at: http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?

c=dvLUK9O0E&b=22542 . Accessed July 17, 2008.
Flanders SA, Collard HR, Saint S. Nosocomial pneumonia: state of the science. Am J Infect
Control. 2006;34:84-93

Mayo Clinic website. Available: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pneumonia/DS00135 .

Accessed on July 17, 2008.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/ .
Accessed July 17, 2008.

Primary Care Medicine . 4th ed. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2000.

http://www.mbhs.org/healthgate/GetHGContent.aspx?token=9c315661-83b7-
472d-a7ab-bc8582171f86&chunkiid=20036
Synthesis

Risk Factors

Frequent exposure to cigarette smoke can affect the lungs in ways that make a person more
likely to develop pneumonia.

Alcohol or drug abuse is strongly associated with pneumonia. These substances act as
sedatives and can diminish the reflexes that trigger coughing and sneezing.

Age. If you're age 65 or older, particularly if you have other conditions that
make you more prone to developing pneumonia, you're at increased risk of
pneumonia. Very young children, whose immune systems aren't fully developed,
also are at increased risk of pneumonia.

 Exposure to certain chemicals or pollutants. Your risk of developing

some uncommon types of pneumonia may be increased if you work in
agriculture, in construction or around certain industrial chemicals or
animals. Exposure to air pollution or toxic fumes can also contribute to
lung inflammation, which makes it harder for the lungs to clear
themselves.

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

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