(HealthDay News) — Pneumonia, a respiratory infection of the lung, can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine says the following factors may increase your risk of contracting pneumonia:
- Smoking cigarettes.
- Having a recent respiratory infection, including the flu or a cold.
- Having a chronic lung disease, such as cystic fibrosis.
- Having cerebral palsy.
- Having a neurological condition that makes swallowing more difficult, such as Parkinson’s disease.
- Having a chronic health condition such as diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver or heart disease.
- Being in a nursing home.
- Having a compromised immune system.
- Having had a recent surgery or medical trauma.