Earn up to $1,270 for study-related activities. Receive $50 for qualified referrals.
Pneumonia is a common infection of the lungs caused by germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Anyone can get pneumonia, but some people are more at risk than others. Moreover, your body’s response to pneumonia depends on the type of germ causing the infection, your age and your overall health.
Almost 1 million adults ages 65 years or over are hospitalized with pneumonia each year in the United States.1
Because of how common pneumonia is, there are plenty of treatment options available. But there is no universal treatment.Pneumonia is a common infection of the lungs caused by germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Ages
Over 65
Study Topics
Vaccine
Pneumonia Resources
- 1 Older Adults Hospitalized for Pneumonia in the United States: Incidence, Epidemiology, and Outcomes. Arnold et al. – Journal of the American Geriatrics Society – 2020
- 2 Pneumonia, Who Health organization
- 3 Pneumonia Symptoms and Diagnosis, American Lung Association
- 4 Pneumonia, American Lung Association
About Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a type of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs. The lungs are made up of tiny sacs called alveoli, which fill with air when a healthy person breathes. When a person has pneumonia, the alveoli are filled with pus and fluid, making breathing painful and limiting oxygen intake.2
Common signs of pneumonia can include cough, fever, and trouble breathing.
Older adults may also experience:
- feeling weak which can increase the risk of falling
- experience confusion or delirium
- changes in functional status and ability to perform daily tasks
- urinary incontinence
- worsening of existing health conditions.3
An average person recovers from pneumonia in about one to three weeks, but it can also be life-threatening.4
As symptoms of pneumonia in older adults are often more subtle and can differ from classic pneumonia symptoms, pneumonia can be more difficult to recognize earlier. This can lead to a delay in proper diagnosis and treatment.
Study Eligibility Criteria
Ages 65 and over
No previous pneumonia vaccine
In good general health
6 in-person visits and 6 phone visits
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