Preventing pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection and inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs. Viruses, bacteria, and occasionally other organisms can cause it. Risk rises when illness, age, swallowing difficulty, chronic lung disease, or a weakened immune system makes it harder to clear germs and secretions.

Ask a clinician which vaccines are appropriate for your age, health conditions, and travel plans, including protection against Influenza and COVID-19. Wash hands, improve ventilation, cover coughs, and avoid sharing cups or utensils when someone is ill. Do not smoke, and avoid second-hand smoke. Manage long-term conditions, maintain nutrition and movement as able, and follow instructions for inhalers. If swallowing causes coughing during meals, request an assessment. Stay home when unwell and seek advice early if a respiratory infection worsens.

Contact a clinician for a worsening Cough, Fever, Chills, chest pain, breathlessness, or Coughing Up Phlegm, especially in an older adult, infant, or person with chronic illness. Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, confusion, blue lips, collapse, or rapidly worsening illness; these can signal serious infection such as Sepsis.

Ask which vaccines and preventive steps fit your health history, whether swallowing or lung function needs review, and what change in breathing or temperature should prompt urgent care.