Health Tip: Are You at Greater Risk of Pneumonia?

Things that can make you more susceptible

Related Encyclopedia • Asthma • Asthma in Children • Asthma Treatment • Atelectasis More... Related Healthscout Videos E-Cigarettes: Smoke & Mirrors? Vocal Cord Dysfunction: Helping Sam Sing Again Patching Leaky Lungs Parkinson's Patients Swallow Easier More... Related Animations • Asthma More... Related Drug Information • Advair Diskus • Combivent • Flovent • Flovent Diskus More... Related News Articles • Young Adults Who Quit Smoking Feel Better Quickly • Soft Drinks May Raise Odds for Respiratory Ills: Study • Fewer U.S. Teens Having Babies, Binge Drinking: Report • Health Tip: Create an Asthma Action Plan for School More...

(HealthDay News) -- Pneumonia, a respiratory infection of the lung, can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.

Text Continues Below

---

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says the following factors may increase your risk of contracting pneumonia:

• Smoking cigarettes.
• Having a recent respiratory infection, including the flu or a cold.
• Having a chronic lung disease, such as cystic fibrosis.
• Having cerebral palsy.
• Having a neurological condition that makes swallowing more difficult, such as Parkinson's disease.
• Having a chronic health condition such as diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver or heart disease.
• Being in a nursing home.
• Having a compromised immune system.
• Having had a recent surgery or medical trauma.

-- Diana Kohnle