The Danger of Pneumonia: Who Is Most at Risk?

Each year, more than one million people are hospitalized for pneumonia, a serious infection that inflames the air sacs in the lungs and makes breathing more difficult. While some cases of pneumonia are mild, others can become life-threatening.

Pneumonia can affect anyone, but certain groups are far more vulnerable to severe complications. So, it’s important that you’re aware of your own personal risk.

At First Response Urgent Care, our team of urgent health care specialists wants to help you better understand this illness, including who is most at risk for complications, so you know what type of care you need and when it’s necessary.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a lung infection that develops when bacteria or viruses invade, triggering inflammation and causing the air sacs in your lungs to fill with fluid. As a result, this infection makes it hard to breathe and limits the amount of oxygen that reaches your bloodstream.

When you have pneumonia, you can experience the following:

Chest pain, especially when breathing or coughing
Fever, sweating, and chills
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Coughing
Confusion or changes in mental awareness (especially in older adults)

Difficulty breathing is typically the most worrisome symptom, along with chest tightness that makes it difficult to take deep breaths.

What makes pneumonia dangerous?

Pneumonia is dangerous because it often progresses quickly and causes serious health complications without prompt and effective treatment. When left untreated, the infection can spread to your bloodstream and cause sepsis, which is a life-threatening response to infection.

Another serious complication of pneumonia is a lung abscess, a pocket of pus that forms in the lungs. As these grow, they can severely impair your breathing and lead to respiratory failure.

If you have a weakened immune system, your body isn’t as equipped to deal with infections like pneumonia, leaving you much more vulnerable to dangerous complications that develop in a short amount of time.

Are you at risk for pneumonia?

No matter your personal risk of pneumonia, this infection can be dangerous, and you should always seek treatment if you suspect you have it.

However, certain groups of people are far more likely to experience severe pneumonia and all its complications. Those at the highest risk include:

Infants and older adults

Children and adults over the age of 65 are particularly susceptible to pneumonia. Young children still have developing immune systems that struggle to mount an effective defense against bacteria and viruses. For older adults, the immune system weakens with age, leaving them more vulnerable to infections.

People with chronic health conditions

When you have a chronic disease like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), your lung function is compromised along with your body’s ability to clear out infections, making it easier for pneumonia to take hold.

People with weakened immune systems

Anything that compromises your immune system, including undergoing chemotherapy, taking immunosuppressive drugs, or living with HIV/AIDS, puts you at a higher risk of developing severe pneumonia since your immune system isn’t strong enough to effectively fight the infection.

People who smoke or have substance use disorders

Smoking damages your lungs and makes them vulnerable to infections like pneumonia. Heavy alcohol or drug use impairs your immune system, leaving your lungs less able to fight pathogens.

If you’re in any of these high-risk groups, pneumonia can quickly escalate from a manageable infection to a life-threatening condition.

Essential practices for preventing severe complications include staying up to date on vaccinations, practicing good hygiene, and seeking prompt medical attention for respiratory symptoms.

To learn more about pneumonia or to seek care for a possible infection, schedule an appointment with our team by calling our office or using our online booking feature today.