Can You Catch Pneumonia?

While pneumonia, an infection in the lungs, itself isn't contagious, the viruses and bacteria that cause it often are. People with weakened immune systems may be at a greater risk from contagious causes of pneumonia.
Pneumonia is an infection that occurs in your lungs. While you can't catch pneumonia, you may be able to catch what caused someone's pneumonia.
Sometimes, pneumonia is caused by viruses or bacteria that can be transmitted from person to person. However, pneumonia may also be caused by conditions that are not contagious, such as inhaled food that becomes trapped in the lungs or environmental factors like fungus.
Read on to learn more about the causes of pneumonia, when they may be contagious, and what you can do to prevent catching a virus or bacterial infection.
Is pneumonia contagious?
Yes, certain types of pneumonia are contagious.
Pneumonia is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or foreign bodies. Some of these causes may be transmitted from person to person, but not everyone who is exposed will develop pneumonia.
Some types of pneumonia are caused by things that can't be transmitted to other people.
Bacterial pneumonia can be transmitted from person to person. Forms of bacterial pneumonia include:
walking pneumonia
streptococcal pneumonia
pneumonia caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae
pneumonia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
There are many viruses that can cause pneumonia, including the same viruses that cause the cold and flu. Viruses can pass from person to person easily. For example, the influenza virus can survive on surfaces, making it even more contagious.
Other viruses that attack the respiratory system can be contagious as well.
Noncontagious pneumonia
Fungal pneumonia and aspiration pneumonia are examples of pneumonia that aren't usually contagious.
Fungal pneumonia is caused by inhaled fungi from the environment. It does not spread from person to person. The fungi that cause this type of pneumonia are usually found in soil.
Aspiration pneumonia isn't contagious because it's caused by inhaling food or liquid into your lungs. This can happen in people who've had a stroke or have other neurologic conditions.
How is pneumonia spread?
Most cases of pneumonia are caused by either bacterial or viral organisms. These can spread in a number of ways, including:
coughs or sneezes that aren't covered
not wearing a mask when sick
sharing cups or eating utensils
touching a tissue or other item after someone with bacterial or viral pneumonia has used it, then touching your face.
not washing your hands regularly, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
How can you prevent the spread of pneumonia?
Here are some steps that can help reduce your exposure to the bacteria or viruses that can cause pneumonia.
Tips for preventing pneumonia
Wash your hands regularly, especially if you're caring for someone who has pneumonia.
Get vaccinated.
Avoid smoking, or get help to quit.
Keep your body in good health with exercise and a nutritious, balanced diet.
If you have any ongoing health conditions, take all medications as prescribed.
When possible, try to limit contact with people who are sick.
If you have pneumonia yourself, stay home until you're well and a doctor says your pneumonia is no longer contagious.
What are the symptoms of pneumonia?
Symptoms of pneumonia include:
fever
sweating
chills
a wet cough that produces colored or clear phlegm
loss of appetite
fatigue
nausea and vomiting
difficulty breathing
Call a doctor if you think an illness may be pneumonia and you're in a high risk category.
And contact a medical professional if you have:
chest pain
cough lasting more than 1 week
difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
a fever over 100.4˚F (38˚C) for more than 3 days, since most fevers go away in this time
worsening symptoms
What vaccines are available for pneumonia?
Vaccines are an important and effective way to prevent both bacterial and viral infections in children and adults. Pneumonia is a common complication of many of these infections.
Other helpful vaccines for children include:
DTaP and Tdap, which both protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough)
flu
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
meningitis
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for Streptococcal pneumonia
Other helpful vaccines for adults include:
flu
meningitis
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for Streptococcal pneumonia
shingles
Tdap
varicella (chickenpox)
Speak with your doctor about which vaccines are right for you and your family.
Who is most at risk of getting pneumonia?
Not everyone who's exposed to these bacteria or viruses will develop pneumonia. People who are at high risk of developing pneumonia include:
children under 2 years old
adults over 65 years old
pregnant people
anyone with a weakened immune system (immunocompromised), such as people who have HIV or AIDS or an autoimmune disease, or who are undergoing chemotherapy
people with a chronic condition, such as diabetes or heart disease
people with lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma
people who smoke
people who've been hospitalized
Q&A: Can pneumonia be contagious to babies?
Q:
Can my baby catch our relative's pneumonia?
Anonymous reader
A:
Pneumonia can be transmitted from an adult with pneumonia to a baby by coughing, sneezing, and close contact. Babies are not immunized against pneumonia until age 2. Therefore, they are at greater risk. A few things adults can do to reduce this risk include:
covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
washing hands frequently with soap and water
limiting close contact
not kissing baby's bare skin
Chris Young, DNP, RN, NE-BC, NPD Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
Takeaway
While you can't catch pneumonia, depending on the type of pneumonia, you can catch what caused it. Bacterial and viral pneumonia are the most common types of pneumonia. They're both contagious.
However, you can reduce your risk of developing these pneumonias by getting vaccinated and practicing proper hand hygiene, among other steps.
If you do develop pneumonia, effective treatments are available.
A doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial pneumonia. In most cases, your pneumonia should no longer be contagious 24 hours after starting antibiotics, and once your fever resolves, if you had one.

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