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Step 1
Do your best to avoid the spreading of bacteria and germs by washing your hands after eating and being outside.
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Step 2
Quit smoking. Tobacco damages the lungs' ability to ward off infection. Cigarette smoke also can interfere with the body's natural defense system to prevent infection by pneumonia.
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Step 3
Eat a healthy diet that includes foods that are rich in antioxidants. Recommended foods include fresh fruits and vegetables that are dark in color including blueberries, cranberries, eggplant and pomegranates.
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Step 4
Improve your lung capacity through exercise, including brisk walking and aerobics. Staying healthy may help keep your lungs strong and more resistant to infection.
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Step 5
Know that in recent years the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has licensed a vaccine for the prevention of pneumococcal disease (pneumonia) in children. This new pneumococcal vaccine has been shown to be highly effective in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease.
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Step 6
Be aware that the pneumonia vaccine should be given to all infants under two years old. The vaccination should start at two months of age, and recur every two months. At 12 to 15 months, a booster dose should be given to complete the vaccination.
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Step 7
Know that the vaccine should be given to children age 24 to 59 months at highest risk of infection, including those with certain illnesses, including HIV infection, chronic lung or heart disease. Vaccination may be recommended for other children up to age five and children who attend day care outside the home for more than four hours per week.
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Step 8
Remember that the vaccine is recommended for use in all adults who are over age 65 and for persons who are two years and older and at high risk for disease such as persons with sickle cell disease, HIV infection or other conditions which compromise the immune system.
