Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that inflames the air sacs in the lungs. It makes breathing difficult, and the infection can range from mild to life-threatening. In fact, more than 1 million people are hospitalized for pneumonia each year — and it’s important to know your risk.
While pneumonia can affect anyone, certain groups are more vulnerable to severe complications. Kunal Patel, MD, and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute are here to help you understand the illness and who is most at risk, so you can get the care you need, when you need it.
Pneumonia is an infection that targets your lungs, and it develops when pathogens like bacteria, viruses, or fungi invade. This invasion triggers inflammation and cause the air sacs in your lungs to fill with fluid. Pneumonia can make it hard to breathe and limit the amount of oxygen that reaches your bloodstream.
Common symptoms of pneumonia include:
Chest pain can be one of the more alarming symptoms of pneumonia, because it can feel like a tightness or sharp pain, especially when you try to take a deep breath.
Pneumonia is dangerous because it can quickly progress, causing serious complications if it’s not treated promptly. The infection can spread from the lungs to your bloodstream, causing sepsis — a life-threatening immune response to infection.
Another possible complication is lung abscesses, which are pockets of pus that form in the lungs. And if pneumonia severely impairs your breathing, it can cause respiratory failure.
For those with weakened immune systems, pneumonia can be especially threatening because the body is less equipped to fight off the infection. Even in healthy individuals, if left untreated, pneumonia can escalate from a mild illness to a life-threatening condition in a short time.
Anyone can get pneumonia, and it’s important to take the illness seriously and get professional treatment. However, certain risk factors increase the likelihood of developing a more severe case. Those most at risk for severe pneumonia and complications are:
Children under the age of 2 and adults over the age of 65 are particularly susceptible to pneumonia. In children, their developing immune systems can struggle to mount an effective defense against pneumonia-causing pathogens. For older adults, the immune system weakens with age, making it more difficult to fend off infections.
Having a chronic disease like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) puts you at greater risk for pneumonia. These conditions can compromise your lung function and reduce your body's ability to clear out infection, making it easier for pneumonia to take hold.
People in hospitals or long-term care facilities also have a higher risk of contracting pneumonia. The risk is even greater if they’re being treated with an invasive device, such as a ventilator, because of exposure to drug-resistant bacteria that are more likely to cause severe pneumonia.
People with compromised immune systems — including those undergoing chemotherapy, taking immunosuppressive drugs, or living with HIV/AIDS — are at a higher risk of developing severe pneumonia. In these cases, a weakened immune responses make it harder to fight the infection.
Smoking damages your lungs, making them more vulnerable to infections like pneumonia. Alcohol or drug abuse can also impair your immune system and leave your lungs less able to fight pathogens.
For these high-risk groups, pneumonia can quickly escalate from a manageable infection to a life-threatening condition. Vaccination, practicing good hygiene, and seeking prompt medical attention for respiratory symptoms are essential for preventing and managing pneumonia.
Pneumonia can be dangerous, but recognizing the symptoms, understanding its dangers, and seeking timely medical care are the best ways to protect your health and the health of those you love. Learn more with a consultation at NJ Cardiovascular Institute. Call one of our offices in Elizabeth, Lakewood, Paramus, and Secaucus, New Jersey, or send us a message online now.
