Older adults are more likely to get infections because their immune systems weaken with age. Older adults are also more likely to have problems coughing or gagging, which increases the risk of aspiration (inhaling food or liquid into the lungs), which can cause pneumonia.

More than half of all people who get pneumonia are age 65 and older. Adults aged 75 and older are also at higher risk of hospitalization due to pneumonia.

In the United States, common causes of viral pneumonia are:

• Influenza viruses
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19)

A common cause of bacterial pneumonia:

• Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), which causes pneumococcal pneumonia. It can also cause ear infections, sinus infections, and meningitis.

Last Updated October 2022