Pneumonia - Prevention

Highlights	Risk Factors	Prevention
Introduction	Diagnosis	Resources
Causes	Treatment	References
Symptoms	Medications
Prognosis	Surgery

Prevention

The best way to prevent serious respiratory infections such as pneumonia is to avoid those who are sick (if possible), and to practice good hygiene.[For detailed information see the In-Depth Report #94 Colds and Influenza.]

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Good Hygiene and Preventing Transmission

Colds and flus are spread primarily when an infected person coughs or sneezes near someone else. A very common method for transmitting a cold is by shaking hands. Everyone should always wash his or her hands before eating and after going outside. Ordinary soap is sufficient. Waterless hand cleaners that contain an alcohol-based gel are also effective for every day use and may even kill cold viruses. (They are less effective, however, if extreme hygiene is required. In such cases, alcohol-based rinses are needed.)

Antibacterial soaps add little protection, particularly against viruses. In fact, one study suggests that common liquid dish washing soaps are up to 100 times more effective than antibacterial soaps in killing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is known to cause pneumonia. Wiping surfaces with a solution that contains one part bleach to 10 parts water is very effective in killing viruses.

Dietary Factors

Foods Containing Lactobacilli (Good Bacteria). Friendly bacteria inside the intestines may also help keep you healthy. Researchers are studying the possible protective value of certain strains of lactobacilli bacteria found in the intestines. One such strain isacidophilus, which isused to make yogurt. According to one Finnish study, children attending day care whodrank milk containing the strain lactobacilli GG reduced their risk of respiratory infections by 10 - 20%. More research is needed. (The strain used in the Finnish study was not the kind found in most commercial yogurt products.)

Vitamins. Studies are mixed when it comes to whether or not vitamin supplements protect against upper respiratory infections. Large doses of vitamin C, for example, may help reduce the duration of a cold, but they do not appear to protect against one in the first place. Two studies in 2002 on multivitamins reported opposite results, with one finding fewer infections and one finding no difference. It is possible that vitamin C or multivitamin supplements may be helpful in specific people, such those who are vitamin deficient or have medical problems that impair their immune systems.