Health Tip: Are You at Greater Risk of Pneumonia?

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(HealthDay News) -- Pneumonia, a respiratory infection of the lung, can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says the following factors may increase your risk of contracting pneumonia:

• Smoking cigarettes.
• Having a recent respiratory infection, including the flu or a cold.
• Having a chronic lung disease, such as cystic fibrosis.
• Having cerebral palsy.
• Having a neurological condition that makes swallowing more difficult, such as Parkinson's disease.
• Having a chronic health condition such as diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver or heart disease.
• Being in a nursing home.
• Having a compromised immune system.
• Having had a recent surgery or medical trauma.

-- Diana Kohnle

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