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Health Conditions
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Community Acquired Pneumonia
What are the risk factors?
Risk factors are characteristics that may increase the chance for developing a condition. The more risk factors present, the more likely you are to develop the condition. You are at an increased risk for developing CAP if:
- You are 65 years or older
- You have other medical conditions or a combination of conditions such as:
- chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) or other chronic lung disorders
- diabetes mellitus
- chronic kidney disease
- heart failure
- coronary artery disease
- cancer
- chronic liver disease
- cystic fibrosis
- You are a smoker
- You are exposed to certain chemicals or pollutants such as those used for agriculture, construction, or industrial chemicals. Exposure to these pollutants can sometimes cause damage to the lungs and contribute to lung inflammation?thus leaving the lungs more susceptible to infection.
- You suffer from alcoholism
- You have a weakened immune system
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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.
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What are the risk factors?
