Even if you are healthy,1 age is one of the risk factor for catching pneumococcal pneumonia.1,2 That is because as we age, our immune systems naturally weaken, making it harder to fight off infections like pneumococcal pneumonia.3
Once the bacteria invade the lungs and bloodstream, they can cause serious illness.2
65 or older? You may be at greater risk for pneumococcal pneumonia.1,4
Know your risk
What is your age?
YOU ANSWERED: 18–49
May not be at risk based on age alone.1,4
Age alone may not put you at risk now, but it’s important to remember the risk for pneumococcal pneumonia increases with age.1,4
ɫGreater risk compared to healthy adults aged 18-491
*Depend on risk groups (healthy; adults included those without evidence of any high-risk or at-risk condition, at risk; adults included those who were immunocompetent with 1 or more chronic medical conditions or high risk ; adults included those who were immunocompromised or had a cochlear implant)1
Chronic conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, heart disease, and diabetes may increase pneumococcal pneumonia risk.1,4
Chronic conditions can make people more vulnerable to potentially serious illnesses like pneumococcal pneumonia.1,4
*COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
CERTAIN CHRONIC CONDITIONS INCREASE RISK IN ADULTS AGED 65 AND ABOVE+4
*Compared to healthy adults aged 65 and above
Know your risk
Do you have any chronic conditions (e.g., COPD, asthma, heart disease, and diabetes) or a weakened immune system?
YOU ANSWERED: YES
May be at risk based on chronic conditions.1,4
Chronic conditions like COPD, asthma, heart disease, and diabetes can increase the risk for pneumococcal pneumonia.1,4
When lung tissue is damaged by smoking, there is a higher risk of infection by the bacteria that cause pneumococcal pneumonia.5
Know your risk
Do you smoke?
YOU ANSWERED: YES
May be at risk.2,4
Certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking, can damage the fragile tissue lining the lungs.5 This makes the lung more vulnerable to pneumococcal pneumonia.5
*Depend on risk groups (healthy; adults included those without evidence of any high-risk or at-risk condition, at risk; adults included those who were immunocompetent with 1 or more chronic medical conditions or high risk ; adults included those who were immunocompromised or had a cochlear implant)1
References
1. Pelton.SI, et al. Decline in Pneumococcal Disease Attenuated in Older Adults and Those With Comorbidities Following Universal Childhood PCV13 Immunization. CID 2019;68(11):1831–8
2. National heart and lung and blood institute -Pneumonia 2016 https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/pneumonia (accessed 6th Aug 2020)
3. Brooks L, Mias G. Streptococcus pneumoniae’s Virulence and Host Immunity: Aging, Diagnostics, and Prevention. Front Immunol. 2018;9. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.01366
4. Shea KM, et al. Rates of Pneumococcal Disease in Adults With Chronic Medical Conditions.Open Forum Infect Dis. 2014 May 27;1(1):ofu024
5. Baskaran et al. Effect of tobacco smoking on the risk of developing community acquired pneumonia: A systematic review and meta-analysisPLOS ONE 2019 14(7): e0220204
