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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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:
Can my baby catch our relative’s pneumonia?
Anonymous readerA:
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
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.
Viral pneumonia is contagious until you’re feeling better and have been free of fever for several days. Although antiviral medications are available, viral pneumonia may get better on its own or after a few weeks of at-home care.