Other Ways to Prevent Illness

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, stay away from others as much as possible. You can also help prevent infections by:

• Quitting smoking
• Washing your hands often
• Cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces
• Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze
• Managing chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease

Older adults who are at risk for aspiration (when food or saliva goes into the lungs instead of the stomach) should talk with a healthcare provider. A speech therapist may help reduce this risk.

Prescription Treatment

Treatment for pneumonia may include different medications. The treatment depends on whether the pneumonia is caused by a virus or bacteria.

For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics are used. The choice of antibiotic depends on your risk factors, such as:

• Your immune system
• Past infections
• Your medical history
• Previous use of antibiotics

If the cause of infection is not clear, more than one antibiotic may be used at first. Once test results are available, treatment can be adjusted to target the infection more closely.

For people in the hospital with severe pneumonia, a team of healthcare specialists may be involved in care.

Hospitalization

Last Reviewed and Updated: October 2026 
By: AGS/HiAF Public Education Committee, HealthinAging.org Content Reviewers