How common is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a major cause of illness in the United States.1
Each year:1
- About 4 million people in the United States get pneumonia in daily life through the home or workplace (community-acquired pneumonia). Community-acquired pneumonia does not include cases of pneumonia contracted in a health care facility (such as a nursing home).
- Of the 4 million people who get community-acquired pneumonia each year, about 1 million will have to go to the hospital.
- About 60,000 cases result in death.
People older than 65 years:2
- Make up about one-third of all cases of community-acquired pneumonia.
- Are hospitalized more often and stay longer in the hospital than younger people.
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS | Last Updated: March 18, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology | |
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