Table 1.

Risk factors for pneumonia in the elderly

Depressed oral clearance

Swallowing disorders leading to aspiration

Central nervous system dysfunction

Neurologic disorders

Pharmacologic depressants

Diminished mucociliary clearance

Malnutrition

Declining or suppressed immune function

Age-associated decline

Disease-related (e.g., diabetes, renal failure)

Immunosuppressive therapy

Poor vaccine response

Alcoholism

Parenchymal lung disease

Hospitalization

Long-term care facility residence

Chronic organ dysfunction syndromes

Parenchymal lung disease

Congestive heart failure

Viral infection