Most of us have heard of pneumonia, but do we really know what it is and, more importantly, how to protect ourselves against it?
Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that causes the lungs’ air sacs to become inflamed and fill with fluid, making it harder to breathe. Symptoms include cough, fever, chills, and shortness of breath.
How serious is pneumonia? According to the latest available statistics, approximately 1.5 million American adults are diagnosed with it each year, leading to around 1 million hospitalizations and 50,000 deaths.
The most prevalent form of pneumonia—estimated to account for as many as 50% of all cases—is viral. The influenza virus is one of the most typical causes in adults, while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause in young children. Fortunately, viral pneumonia often can clear up on its own.
The second most frequent is bacterial pneumonia, which can be more severe and usually requires antibiotic treatment.
Pneumonia is often believed to be an “older person’s disease.” Although adults aged 65 and older are at a higher risk due to weakening immune systems and, in many cases, having medical conditions like COPD, asthma, and chronic kidney or liver disease. Children aged 0-2 are equally susceptible due to their still-developing immune systems.
This is not to say that people outside of those age groups cannot get pneumonia; in fact, everyone can get it. Exacerbating factors include:
- Pre-existing medical conditions like those listed above.
- Health-compromising behaviors like smoking or substance abuse, including alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and opioids.
- Your environment. Long-term exposure to contaminated water, surfaces, and polluted air can leave you more susceptible to disease-causing germs, as can being in a situation where infected people are coughing, sneezing, or even breathing.
Reducing Your Risk
You can contract pneumonia at any time of the year, making the need to protect yourself even more important. My tips for reducing your risk:
Get vaccinated. Many people are unaware there’s a vaccine for Streptococcus pneumoniae—the bacteria that can cause pneumonia as well as meningitis and various ear and sinus infections. It has been estimated that a vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of developing the disease.
- The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for children younger than 5 and adults aged 50 and older (the latter was lowered in 2024 from 65 and older).
- As with the flu vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine is covered by most insurance. A single dose usually provides lifelong protection for adults.
Follow healthy habits.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
- Eat a healthy diet, get rest and regular exercise.
- Try to avoid people who are sick.
- Avoid smoking. Not only should you not smoke, you should also limit your exposure to secondhand smoke.
Finally, continue to manage your other chronic medical conditions. This includes regular monitoring of those conditions and being extra cautious when dealing with any additional respiratory symptoms.
Pneumonia is serious but often preventable. Know the signs, act quickly if symptoms appear, and take simple steps like vaccination and good hygiene to protect yourself. Early action can make all the difference; breathe easier by staying informed.
Dr. Christopher Robles is a family medicine and primary care physician, seeing patients at the Somers and White Plains locations. To make an appointment, please call 914-849-7075.