A risk factor is something that increases your chnace of getting
a disease or condition. It is possible to develop pneumonia with
or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk
factors you have, the greater your chance of developing
pneumonia. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor
what you can do to reduce your risk. Smoking and Second-hand
Smoke People who smoke have a much higher risk of developing
pneumonia. If you stop smoking, your risk will gradually return
to normal. However, this may take as long as ten years. You are
also at risk for pneumonia if you are regularly exposed to
second-hand smoke. For example, children in households where the
parents smoke have higher rates of pneumonia than do children in
smoke-free households. The risk of pneumonia is increased among
people living in crowded conditions, such as: - Students in
dormitories - Patients living in institutions - Military
personnel in barracks - Poeple living in nursing homes People
who are hospitalized have