What are the risk factors for pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection or inflammation affecting the small air sacs and surrounding lung tissue. The risk is higher when immune defences are weaker, cough is less effective, or material from the mouth or stomach enters the airways. Relevant factors include older age, very young age, smoking, chronic lung or heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, cancer treatment and medicines that suppress immunity. Swallowing difficulty, reduced alertness and recent surgery can also increase aspiration risk. Influenza and COVID-19 can themselves lead to pneumonia or leave the lungs more vulnerable to another infection.

Keep chronic conditions under control and ask about recommended vaccinations for your age and health. Wash hands, avoid smoking, and stay away from people who are acutely unwell when practical. If swallowing is difficult or coughing begins during meals, tell a clinician; changing food textures or seeking swallowing assessment may reduce aspiration risk. Seek advice early for a worsening cough or fever if you have a condition that makes chest infections harder to manage.

Arrange prompt assessment for fever, cough with breathlessness, chest pain when breathing, confusion, marked weakness or coughing up blood. Seek emergency help for severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, fainting, new confusion or inability to stay awake. Children, older adults and people with weakened immunity may become seriously unwell with less obvious symptoms.

Do my lung, heart or immune conditions raise my risk? Which vaccines are suitable for me? Could swallowing problems be contributing? How soon should I be reviewed if fever or breathlessness starts?