Pneumonia is not an illness to take lightly; it can cause permanent damage in the lungs. Several things can cause pneumonia or facilitate the entry of the pneumonia germ to make someone sick. Asthma contributes by weakening the lungs.

Asthma

Asthma is a lung disease and it occurs when the lungs react too strongly to substances in the air. The airways tighten and produce mucus, causing a cough.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs. It can be caused by a virus or by bacteria. Pneumonia takes advantage of a person's weakened state by entering the lungs, causing him to get sick. The pneumonia germ (virus or bacteria) can also enter the body of the otherwise healthy person and make him sick.

Causes of Pneumonia

Pneumonia can start from a cold or a bout of flu that gets worse. The pneumonia bacteria or viruses take their opportunity when the cold or flu sets up an environment that enables the pneumonia germs to establish themselves.

Role of Asthma

The nose and throat of a healthy person can contain the pneumonia virus or bacteria. (Pneumonia begins after an actual pneumonia virus or bacteria has entered the body through the nose or mouth.) The pneumonia bacteria or virus spreads to a person's lungs when she has a cold or a long-term illness, such as asthma. (The lungs are weakened by asthma, and it is easier for pneumonia germs to make her sicker.) Pneumonia is not directly caused by asthma, but by the weakened condition of the lungs. Sicknesses such as colds and the flu also make conditions in the lungs easier for the pneumonia bacterium and viruses to establish themselves.

Preventing Pneumonia

Anyone at risk of getting pneumonia can avoid this illness by getting a pneumonia shot. Asthma sufferers can also avoid pneumonia by getting a yearly flu shot.

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Pneumonia

Pneumonia Causes -- Viruses, Bacteria and Transmission