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 As you may or may not know, those who smoke are more susceptible to colds and pneumonia than those who don’t.  While there is no definite reason why smokers are more susceptible to contracting infections but as far as pneumonia, doctors feel it is due to damage caused by smoking.  The damage to the lungs can allow bacteria to attach easily to the lungs and windpipe.  The odds of a smoker developing pneumonia increases as the number of cigarettes they smoke increases.  The new pneumonia vaccine is the first of its kind to be directed specifically at smokers.

Pneumonia is a lung infection; often caused by viruses, bacteria, fungus, or parasites.  It often developes after a nose and throat infection.  Pneumonia is diagnosed by an X-ray, blood test, or mucus culture from coughing.   Often pneumonia is treated with a series of oral antibotics taken at home.  However, sometimes infected persons will develop a high fever and/or respiratory distress and will need to be hospitalized for treatment.

Death from pneumonia can be severley reduced by those who are more susceptible to infection  receiving vaccinations. Currently, the vaccine that is recommended will protect against pneumonia, meningitis, and other life-threatening infections.