Pneumonia and those at risk
Pneumonia affects one or both lungs – it causes inflammation (swelling) in the air sacs (alveoli). The air sacs will fill with fluid or pus which makes it difficult for a person to breath.
According to Asthma and Lung UK, a person at any age can get pneumonia. Each year in the UK, about 5-10 adults out of every 1,000 get pneumonia1. However, pneumonia can range in seriousness from mild through to life threatening. The following 'at risk' groups are more likely to need hospital treatment if they develop pneumonia:
- Babies and very young children
- Elderly people (over 65)
- People with long-term lung, heart, brain, liver or kidney conditions
- People with diabetes
- People with cancer, especially those having chemotherapy
- Excess smokers and drinkers
- Those with a weakened immune system from an illness e.g. HIV or AIDS or those on drugs that suppress the immune system
But remember - everyone is at risk of catching it!
Did you know…
- Pneumonia is contagious so you can catch it from someone else.
- It is common for people to get pneumonia during winter because other infections such as flu are easily spread from one person to another.
- If a person catches the flu, their chances of developing pneumonia is high