Risk of infection for small children

Infants and babies suffer relatively often from pneumonia. This is largely due to the weakened immune system of the children, which cannot easily fend off the pathogens responsible for the development of pneumonia. In addition, children are often confronted with pathogens and these get into the mouth through the hands.

This makes it easier for a baby to get infected by an adult or another infected child and develop pneumonia itself. An infection with a certain bacterial pathogen, the so-called pneumococci, is usually only possible if the affected baby is not vaccinated against the pathogen. The permanent vaccination commission (STIKO) recommends vaccination against pneumococcus for babies from the age of 2 months.

Vaccination against the bacterium haemophilus influenza type B is also recommended for infants. Despite vaccinations, infection with other bacteria or viruses can occur and pneumonia can develop in babies. In general, if the symptoms of the disease disappear, infection is unlikely. Particularly in the case of pneumonia caused by bacteria, infection is likely to occur only via the mucus coughed up.

Infection during pregnancy

Generally speaking, pneumonia does not occur more frequently during pregnancy than in other people. However, if pneumonia does occur, pregnant women are usually treated in hospital under strict supervision. Only certain antibiotics are used for the therapy, which are unproblematic for the mother and the child and do not pose any danger.

A pneumonia of the mother is not transferable to the unborn child. However, as pneumonia has a strong debilitating effect on the mother, she needs special medical attention. Prophylactically no vaccination is generally recommended before pregnancy to prevent pneumonia. An exception is made for women who have had their spleen removed. These women are recommended a vaccination against pneumococcal bacteria.

Infection after antibiotics

In many cases, pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. Which antibiotic is used depends on the individual severity of the disease as well as age and immune status. Pneumonia is not considered particularly contagious for otherwise healthy individuals.

It is more likely to occur in people whose immune system is weakened. This may be due to other infections such as HIV or chemotherapy or simply to the age of the person. Immunocompromised people should avoid contact with people with pneumonia.

The risk of pneumonia after administration of antibiotics depends on various factors. Above all, the pathogen responsible for the inflammation is decisive. If the symptoms improve after taking the antibiotic, it is likely that the antibiotic will work against the bacteria in the lungs.

In this case, it is considered unlikely that others will be infected after about 3-4 days. If symptoms persist or there is a viral pneumonia, this rule does not apply. In these cases, infection is possible as long as the symptoms of pneumonia persist.