Why is pnuemonia more common in the older client?

Question

I am currently studying in a health class. And i just wonder, why is pnuemonia more common in the older clients? Statistic Canada shows that most of the pneumonia patients are elderly, but why?

Answer 1

I believe it has something to do with the fact that, viruses such as pneumonia affect the older (and very young) moreso than an adult in his/her prime because the immune system is weakened. Either by age or because it is premature (as in with children) As you grow older, your body weakens and is once again more susceptible to disease/sickness.

Answer 2

There are several factors that come to mind.
1. They may be unable to move themselves and cough hard enough to clear airways with leads to pneumonia.
2. They may have swallowing problems and inhale food and drink causing aspiration pneumonia.
3. They may have congestive heart failure and fluid backs up in lungs.
4. They may have COPD.
I'm sure there are more but that is off the top of my head.

Answer 3

Without the pneumonia shots we are more susceptible to colds. Our systems are not as strong as a young persons.

With flu shots and the pneumonia shots we can stay healthier. We almost never catch colds now that we get the shots.

Answer 4

You should know that pneumonia is an infectious disease, and that human body, has an "army" of cells which defend you from diseases produced by virus, bacteria or fungi. Anyway, as you get older your inmune system starts getting somehow "tired" and the number and specificity of it gets lower. So when your old, you become more vulnerable to infectious diseases in general

Answer 5

Older people have a less active immune system. Pnemonia is more common because they are less able to fight it.

Answer 6

they are more susceptible to it

Answer 7

Older People Usually Have Lower Imune Systems? Idunno