{"id":59262,"date":"2023-07-14T12:36:56","date_gmt":"2023-07-14T16:36:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=59262"},"modified":"2025-06-24T11:00:34","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T15:00:34","slug":"how-do-you-get-pneumonia-in-the-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-do-you-get-pneumonia-in-the-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you get pneumonia in the summer?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most of us have suffered through a <\/span>summer cold<\/span><\/a> or two at some point. No big deal, right? But most people didn\u2019t give much thought to more serious illnesses during the summer\u2026 until COVID-19 came along.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, many people wonder if they might be at risk for contracting other serious illnesses in the summer, too. One illness that many people don\u2019t associate with summer, but you still can catch, is pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs in which the air sacs fill up with pus or fluid.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, one type of bacterial pneumonia known as walking pneumonia is <\/span>most commonly spread in late summer<\/span> and fall.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth considering your chances of contracting this potentially serious illness during the warm summer months. Experts suggest that most people probably don\u2019t need to hide out in their houses to avoid it, but some people are at greater risk than others\u2014and they may want to be extra careful in some locations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Regardless of your particular risk, you can still benefit from understanding what causes pneumonia and how to reduce the risk of developing it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is pneumonia?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that is caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, <\/span>according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<\/span><\/a>. When germs get down into your lungs, your immune system is alerted and sends immune cells to attack the invaders. This causes the alveoli, the tiny air sacs where your body exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide when you breathe, to become inflamed. As a result, the air sacs may fill up with fluid and cause you to develop symptoms of pneumonia: coughing and difficulty breathing, among others.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bacterial pneumonia<\/span><\/h3>\n

People who have recently undergone surgery, have weakened immune systems, or have respiratory disease or viral infection are at the<\/span> greatest risk for developing bacterial pneumonia<\/span><\/a>, according to the American Lung Association (ALA). Examples of bacterial pneumonia include pneumococcal pneumonia, \u201catypical pneumonia,\u201d (which is not actually uncommon), and \u201c<\/span>walking pneumonia<\/span><\/a>.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Viral pneumonia<\/span><\/h3>\n

Viruses are responsible for about one-third of the cases of pneumonia, <\/span>according to Johns Hopkins Medicine<\/span><\/a>. The most common<\/span> causes of viral pneumonia<\/span> include viruses that affect the upper respiratory tract, such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fungal pneumonia<\/span><\/h3>\n

Certain fungi can cause pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in people with weakened immune systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

What season is pneumonia more common?<\/h2>\n

Research<\/span><\/a> suggests that pneumonia occurs more often in the wintertime. The cold, dry air of wintertime seems to be associated with higher rates of illnesses like pneumonia and the flu.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Winter is associated with higher rates of respiratory illnesses in general. When it\u2019s cold and blustery outside, people spend more time indoors where it\u2019s warm. And when people crowd together inside, they\u2019re more likely to spread infections to one another. The problem is further complicated because cold, dry air also appears to weaken resistance, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.<\/span><\/p>\n

But that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t get pneumonia in the summer. Germs spread regardless of the temperature.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can spread germs to others through direct contact via saliva or mucus,\u201d notes <\/span>Laura Purdy<\/span><\/a>, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician who practices virtually in the U.S. \u201cThis can be from sneezing and coughing. This can happen any time of the year, including the summer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

How do you get pneumonia in the summer?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Consider the places that you might venture to when the weather is warm. There are a few locations that might make your risk of contracting pneumonia more likely.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spas and pools<\/b>. Hot tubs, spas, and swimming pools can be risky spots for contracting <\/span>Legionnaires’ Disease<\/span>, a type of bacterial pneumonia that can <\/span>range from mild to serious<\/span><\/a>. It\u2019s caused by Legionella bacteria<\/a> that can grow in water systems and can be inhaled through tiny droplets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor most healthy people, if it caused an infection, it would just lead to cold symptoms,\u201d says <\/span>Sarah Park, MD<\/span><\/a>, medical director at <\/span>Karius<\/span><\/a>, a company specializing in infectious disease diagnostic testing. \u201cHowever, older people, smokers, and people with underlying medical issues (or who are immunocompromised or have lung problems) can develop pneumonia.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hotels and resorts<\/b>. Leginonnaire\u2019s disease has also been <\/span>linked to some hotels<\/span> with water management problems. Again, bacteria in the water is usually the culprit, which can grow in places like cooling towers, showers, hot tubs, decorative fountains, and other water features.<\/span><\/p>\n

Museums and theaters<\/b>. Air-conditioned entertainment can be just the ticket on a hot day. But spending time in tight proximity with someone who\u2019s sniffing, sneezing, and coughing could be risky, especially if you\u2019re already at increased risk. Keep your distance, and remember good hygiene tips, like not touching your face with your hands and washing your hands frequently.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Is pneumonia contagious?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Who\u2019s at risk of catching pneumonia in summer?<\/b><\/h2>\n

In general, there are<\/span> four categories<\/span><\/a> of people who are at higher risk for contracting or developing pneumonia\u2014any time of year:<\/span><\/p>\n