Pneumonia is usually a life-threatening an infection for some, however for others, it could move shortly and simply trigger delicate signs. So, what makes the distinction? Age has a significant affect on the severity of pneumonia alongside with underlying well being situations. However there are different elements that have an effect on pneumonia survival charges. Let’s dive into the numbers and discover who’s probably the most vulnerable to dying from pneumonia.
Pneumonia Demise Charges
By Age
Age is one is likely one of the greatest danger elements for pneumonia. Seniors are prone to have weaker immune techniques and endure from persistent illnesses. Plus, they usually reside in shut quarters — like nursing properties — the place infections can unfold extra shortly.
Uncover extra the reason why seniors are at greater danger on this submit: Why Are Seniors So Vulnerable to Extreme Pneumonia?
That being mentioned, adults ages 70+ make up over 88% of pneumonia deaths within the US. In truth, pneumonia is the fifth main explanation for dying amongst seniors. Beneath is the annual variety of deaths from pneumonia within the US per 100,000 folks in every age group.
- 70+ yr olds: 214
- 50–69 yr olds: 23
- 15–49 yr olds: 2
- 5–15 yr olds: 0.3
- 0–5 yr olds: 3
By Gender
Gender is one other issue within the survivability of pneumonia. The American Lung Affiliation has supplied information on the dying charges of pneumonia and influenza within the US by age. Whereas these infections will not be the identical, influenza is likely one of the commonest causes of pneumonia. Beneath is the annual variety of deaths from pneumonia and influenza within the US per 100,000 folks by gender.
Subsequently, males are about 25% extra prone to die from these infections than ladies. This statistic is attention-grabbing as a result of ladies have been barely extra prone to be hospitalized attributable to pneumonia/influenza, however they have been extra prone to get well.
By Ethnicity
The American Lung Affiliation additionally gives the dying charges of pneumonia and influenza within the US by ethnicity. Beneath is the annual variety of deaths from pneumonia and influenza within the US per 100,000 folks by ethnicity.
- White: 16
- Black: 17
- American Indian/Alaska Native: 19
- Asian/Pacific Islander: 15
- Hispanic: 13
In comparison with whites, dying fee was 21% greater in American Indians or Alaska Natives and eight% greater in blacks. Nonetheless, the pneumonia/influenza dying fee was 18% decrease amongst Hispanics and 6% decrease amongst Asians or Pacific Islanders.
By State
Inside the US, every state has its personal pneumonia mortality fee. The vary in these charges might be attributable to quite a few various factors, together with local weather, state infrastructure, and so forth. Nonetheless, the place you reside might have some have an effect on on the pneumonia charges.
Beneath are the ten highest and 10 lowest pneumonia/influenza dying charges per state. If you happen to don’t see your state on the record, you’ll be able to evaluation the entire record on the CDC web site.
States with the Lowest Pneumonia Mortality Fee
- Vermont: 6%
- Alaska: 7%
- Minnesota 8%
- Colorado 8%
- Florida 8%
- Oregon: 9%
- Washington: 10%
- Wisconsin: 10%
- Arizona: 10%
- New Hampshire: 10%
States with the Highest Pneumonia Mortality Fee
- Mississippi: 23%
- Hawaii: 17%
- Arkansas: 17%
- Alabama: 17%
- New York: 17%
- Tennessee: 16%
- West Virginia: 16%
- South Dakota: 16%
- Kentucky: 16%
- Maine: 15%
Pneumonia Prevention
If you’re at a better danger for pneumonia, it’s essential to take preventative measures to stay wholesome — particularly in the course of the cooler months. Listed below are some methods you could scale back your danger of getting this lung an infection.
- Get the flu vaccine. The flu may cause pneumonia, so you may get a flu shot every year to scale back your danger of getting influenza.
- Get the pneumonia vaccine. There may be additionally a vaccine for pneumonia to forestall the type of pneumonia brought on by pneumococcal micro organism.
- Wash your arms. Preserve good hygiene by washing your arms regularly with cleaning soap and water. If you happen to aren’t capable of wash your arms, then use hand sanitizer.
- Eat healthily. Preserve your immune system robust and able to struggle off infections by sustaining a nutritious diet.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking damages your lungs and may make it tougher in your physique to get well from infections, germs, and illnesses. Attempt to give up smoking as quickly as attainable.
- Keep away from sick folks. This may appear easy, however in case you are round sick folks, then you definately put your self at greater danger of getting sick. Scale back your publicity to sick people as a lot as attainable.
- Get sufficient relaxation. The immune system wants time to recharge, so getting sufficient sleep may also help preserve your defenses up.
Get extra statistics about pneumonia and the way it impacts the senior inhabitants in our infographic: Risks of Pneumonia within the Aged. And in case you or a cherished one will get pneumonia this yr, attain out to our crew! Our caregivers are specifically skilled to help seniors recovering from pneumonia whereas lowering the prospect that the an infection spreads. Our Pneumonia Specialty Program can present seniors with the assist and help they should assist them get well. Attain out to your native Caring workplace to be taught extra.