 [ Symptoms ] over a year ago i started experiencing fatigue heart flutters weight loss [ Disease ] you are more likely to get pneumonia if you smoke cigarette smoking is the strongest risk factor for developing pneumonia in healthy young people 2 have another medical condition especially lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease copd or asthma are younger than 1 year of age or older than 65 have an impaired immune system have a change in mental status such as confusion or loss of consciousness that increases the risk of breathing mucus or saliva from the nose or mouth liquids or food from the stomach into the lungs  aspiration  take medicine called a proton pump inhibitor such as pantoprazole or omeprazole  that reduces the amount of stomach acid 3 drink excessive amounts of alcohol recently had a cold or the flu do not get enough to eat to stay healthy malnutrition you are more likely to have complications of pneumonia and may need to go to the hospital if you are older than 65 have other illnesses especially copd diabetes asthma chronic kidney failure heart failure and chronic liver disease have gone to the hospital for another medical problem within the last 12 months breathe mucus or stomach contents into your lungs  aspiration  have a changed mental status such as delirium or dementia  have had your spleen removed or do not have a working spleen such as in sickle cell disease  have an alcohol use problem do not get enough healthy foods malnutrition have a weak immune system reside in a place where people live close together such as a college dorm or nursing home webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information © 1995 2011 healthwise incorporated healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated