Who is most at risk for developing severe pneumonia?

Individuals who are elderly and severely ill are at the highest risk for developing severe pneumonia due to several factors. As people age, their immune systems tend to weaken, making it more difficult for them to fight off infections. Elderly individuals often have concurrent health issues such as chronic respiratory conditions, heart disease, diabetes, or other illnesses that can further compromise their respiratory health and immune response.

Severely ill individuals, regardless of age, may also have underlying health problems or are often immunocompromised due to their conditions or treatments, such as chemotherapy, which lowers their ability to fend off infections. These factors significantly increase their susceptibility to pneumonia, particularly severe cases that can lead to complications.

In contrast, while children under 5 years old also face risks due to their developing immune systems, young healthy adults typically have stronger immune defenses. College students studying abroad may encounter new pathogens, but they generally fall within a healthier demographic and often have lower rates of severe pneumonia compared to the elderly and those with serious health conditions.