The Danger of Pneumonia: Who Is Most at Risk?

Impacting the lower respiratory tract, pneumonia affects your lungs, causing inflammation of the air sacs and producing phlegm or pus. Its severity ranges from mild to serious and for some segments of the population, pneumonia can be a serious health risk. 

As a specialist in family medicine, Chika Kuwama, MD, and our team at Hibari Family Medical in Edgewater, New Jersey, can help when you or a loved one comes down with pneumonia. The bacteria and viruses that cause pneumonia are contagious, so it’s important to limit the risk to others who may be more vulnerable to the effects of the illness.

Pneumonia basics

An infection that targets your lungs, pneumonia develops when pathogens like bacteria, viruses, or fungi infect your lung tissue. This triggers inflammation, causing the air sacs in your lungs to fill with fluid. Pneumonia makes it hard to breathe and limits how much oxygen reaches your blood.

Typical signs and symptoms of pneumonia include:

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing, often producing phlegm
• Chest pain, often when breathing or coughing
• Fever, sweats, and chills
• Fatigue
• Changes in mental acuity in older adults

Chest pain can produce tightness or sharp pain, especially when you try to take a deep breath, making it an alarming symptom.

The dangers of pneumonia

Pneumonia can progress quickly, leading to serious complications when not treated promptly. Infection can spread into your bloodstream, causing sepsis, a life-threatening immune response.

Abscesses may develop — pockets of pus that form in your lungs. If pneumonia severely impairs your breathing, it can lead to respiratory failure. 

For people with compromised immune systems, pneumonia can be particularly threatening since their bodies are less equipped to fight infection. If left untreated, pneumonia can escalate from a mild illness to a life-threatening condition in a short time, even in those with healthy immune systems.

Pneumonia risk factors

Pneumonia is a serious illness that anyone can get. Certain risk factors may increase the chance of pneumonia becoming dangerous in some people. Individuals with a greater risk of severe pneumonia with complications include:

• Infants under 2 and adults over 65 
• Those with chronic health conditions, including asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 
• Those in hospitals or long-term care facilities 
• Those with weakened or compromised immune systems, including individuals undergoing chemotherapy, taking immunosuppressive drugs, or living with HIV/AIDS
• Smokers
• Alcohol and drug abusers

Pneumonia can quickly escalate from a manageable infection to a life-threatening condition in high-risk groups. Vaccination, frequent hand washing, and prompt medical attention for respiratory symptoms can help you avoid pneumonia or get treatment in its early stages. 

When you suspect you may have pneumonia, book an appointment at Hibari Family Medical. Call 201-903-9929 or request a visit online today. We also accept telehealth appointments.