Who is affected by pneumonia
While current Canadian statistics are limited, age-specific rates of invasive pneumococcal disease—including Pneumonia—are relatively comparable to those in the U.S. and northern European countries.1 Pneumonia is a major cause of illness in the United States.2
Each year:2
- 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.
- In Canada, infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of invasive bacterial infections in children younger than age 5. Each year about 2,200 children are hospitalized for pneumonia, and another 9,000 get pneumonia but do not need to be hospitalized.1
People older than 65 years:3
- 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: | Ralph Poore | Last Updated: June 26, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology | |
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