Key points
- Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs.
- Pneumonia affects millions of people worldwide each year.
- Pneumonia can often be prevented and can usually be treated.
- You can lower your risk of pneumonia with immunizations and other healthy living practices.
Overview
Immunizations and appropriate treatment (like antibiotics and antivirals) could prevent many deaths from pneumonia each year.
Pneumonia affects many adults in the United States
Who is at risk
Some people are at increased risk for pneumonia due to age, other health conditions, and certain behaviors.
Prevention steps and strategies
Vaccination and immunization
Vaccines against bacterial infections
Vaccines can help prevent infection by some of the bacteria that can cause pneumonia. Learn more about vaccines for each of the following bacterial infections, including who should get them:
Immunizations against viral infections
Vaccines, antibody products, or both can help prevent infection by some of the viruses that can cause pneumonia. Learn more about the immunization strategy for each of the following viral infections, including who should get them:
Healthy living practices
Avoid people who are sick. If you are sick, stay away from others as much as possible to keep from getting them sick.
You can also help prevent respiratory infections by:
- Washing your hands regularly
- Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that are touched a lot
- Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or into your elbow or sleeve
- Limiting contact with cigarette smoke or quitting smoking
- Taking good care of chronic medical conditions (like asthma)
Pneumonia around the world
Globally, pneumonia killed more than 740,000 children younger than 5 years old in 2019. This is greater than the number of deaths from any infectious disease, such as HIV infection, malaria, or tuberculosis.
Annual observance day
World Pneumonia Day is observed each year on November 12 to highlight this global crisis.
