Risk Factors
Pneumonia can affect anyone. But the two age groups at highest risk are:
Children who are two years old or younger
People who are age 65 or older
Other risk factors include:
- Being hospitalized. You’re at greater risk of pneumonia if you’re in a hospital intensive care unit, especially if you’re on a machine that helps you breathe (a ventilator).
- Chronic disease. You’re more likely to get pneumonia if you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or heart disease.
- Smoking. Smoking damages your body’s natural defenses against the bacteria and viruses that cause pneumonia.
- Weakened or suppressed immune system. People who have HIV/AIDS, who’ve had an organ transplant, or who receive chemotherapy or long-term steroids are at risk. [3]