PEOPLE OF OLDER AGE OR WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS* CAN HAVE A HIGHER RISK OF INFECTION.1,2
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See how your age affect your risk |
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See how chronic health conditions* affect your risk |
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Want to know more? |
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| *Chronic conditions could include1,2: Chronic heart disease, chronic lung disease, kidney or liver disease, diabetes, and conditions that weaken the immune system, such as HIV infection and cancer | ||
increase-risk
Even if you have done a lot to maintain a healthy lifestyle,
your immune system still weakens with age.2–4
Therefore, people aged 65 and older are at an increased risk for pneumococcal pneumonia.2,3
health-condition
What does my health have to do with my risk for pneumococcal pneumonia?
Certain chronic conditions like diabetes, chronic heart disease, or chronic lung disease can increase your risk for pneumococcal pneumonia.3 The risk can go up even further if you have more than one condition.3
Individuals taking immunosuppressive medications are also at higher risk, including some medicines that treat psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis, among others.5 People with conditions that weaken their immune system, such as those receiving chemotherapy or high-dose corticosteroids, infected with HIV, received organ transplant, and those who have hematological malignancies, are at increased risk as well.6,7
Chronic medical conditions and older age combine to multiply your risk of infection.2,3
Choose a topic below to learn more.
Diabetes
If you’re living with diabetes, you may be at greater risk for pneumococcal pneumonia.2,3
Chronic heart disease
If you’re living with chronic heart disease, you may be at greater risk for pneumococcal pneumonia.2,3
Chronic lung disease
If you’re living with chronic lung disease, you may be at greater risk for pneumococcal pneumonia.2,3
risk-assessment-section
Take the risk assessment
Answer a few questions to assess your risk for pneumococcal pneumonia and discuss them with your doctor.
What is your age?
Even if you are healthy, older age can be a risk factor for pneumococcal pneumonia.1,2
| 18 years and under |
| 19–34 years |
| 35–49 years |
| 50–64 years |
| 65 years and older |
Next: Your health conditions
Do you have any chronic health conditions?
Certain conditions may put you at higher risk for pneumococcal pneumonia, even if they’re under control.2,3,7,8 Select all that apply.
| Asthma |
| Chronic lung disease (eg, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) |
| Chronic heart disease |
| Diabetes |
| Chronic renal failure |
| Cancers (eg, hematological cancers, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer) |
| Non-functioning spleen (asplenia) |
| Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection |
| I do not have any of these conditions |
Are you taking any medicines that suppress your immune system? This includes some medicines that treat psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis, among others.5
| Yes I’m taking medicines that suppress my immune system |
| No Not taking any medicines that suppress my immune system |
Back Next: Check your risk assessment results
Your risk assessment results for pneumococcal pneumonia
Talk to your doctor about protecting against pneumococcal pneumonia.
References:
- National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. What is pneumococcal disease? Available at: www.nfid.org/infectious-disease/pneumococcal/. Accessed Jul 2023.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal disease: Risk factors & how it spreads. Available at: www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/about/risk-transmission.html. Accessed Jul 2023.
- American Lung Association. Get the facts about pneumococcal pneumonia. Available at: www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumonia/pneumococcal. Accessed Jul 2023.
- Weyand CM, Goronzy JJ. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2016;13:S422-S428.
- American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. Immunosuppressive medication for the treatment of autoimmune disease. Available at: www.aaaai.org/conditions-treatments/related-conditions/immunosuppressive. Accessed Jul 2023.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Pink Book Home: Pneumococcal disease. Available at: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/pneumo.html. Accessed Jul 2023.
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. List. Risk conditions for pneumococcal disease. Available at: immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/resources/tables/list-risk-conditions-for-pneumococcal-disease. Accessed Jul 2023.
- Shea KM et al. Open Forum Infect Dis 2014;1:ofu024.