(HealthDay News) — Pneumonia is a bacterial or viral respiratory infection that’s characterized by lung inflammation. It can be life-threatening, especially to the young, the elderly and to people with chronic health problems.
The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests how to help prevent pneumonia:
- Wash your hands often, especially after you use the toilet, change a diaper, prepare or eat food, or blow your nose.
- Don’t smoke.
- Get vaccinated for pneumonia and flu.
- Children also should get an Hib vaccine.
- In some children younger than 24 months, the drug palivizumab may be prescribed to help avoid pneumonia as a complication from another respiratory condition.