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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Pneumonia can affect anyone. But the two age groups at highest risk are:

  • Infants and children younger than age 2 years, because their immune systems are still developing
  • People older than age 65

Other risk factors include:

  • Certain chronic diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart disease
  • Weakened or suppressed immune system, due to factors such as HIV/AIDS, organ transplant, chemotherapy for cancer or long-term steroid use
  • Smoking, which damages your body's natural defenses against the bacteria and viruses that cause pneumonia
  • Being placed on a ventilator while hospitalized
Complications Causes
References
  1. Pneumonia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.1.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pnu/. Accessed April 17, 2013.
  2. AskMayoExpert. What diagnostic evaluation should be done in an outpatient with suspected community acquired pneumonia? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2013.
  3. Longo DL, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 18th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=9112783. Accessed April. 18, 2013.
  4. Schauner S, et al. Community-acquired pneumonia in children: A look at the IDSA guidelines. The Journal of Family Practice. 2013;62:9. Accessed April 19, 2013.
  5. Attridge RT, et al. Health care-associated pneumonia: An evidence-based review. The American Journal of Medicine. 2011;124:689. Accessed April 18, 2013.
  6. Hunter JD. Ventilator associated pneumonia. BMJ. 2012;344:e3325. Accessed April 19, 2013.
  7. Dockrell DH, et al. Pneumococcal pneumonia: Mechanisms of infection and resolution. Chest. 2012;142:482. Accessed April 18, 2013.
  8. Reynolds RH, et al. Pneumonia in the immunocompetent patient. The British Journal of Radiology. 2010;83:998. Accessed April 18, 2013.
  9. Rosenow EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 23, 2013.
DS00135 May 21, 2013

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