My aunt has been sent to our local A&E by her doctor because she may have pneumonia. Will her general state of fitness have any bearing on this disease as she has a lowered immune system? Is this contagious?

I believe that people with certain illnesses like cancer and HIV that lower their immune system do have a tendency to catch a certain type of pneumonia. It's a fungus like growth in their lungs but it can be eradicated with antibiotics so the prognosis is good for your aunt.

Hi there Row27,

How old is your aunt? Older people tend to be much suceptible to pneumonia because their immune system are weaker and because they often have less reserve to fall back on when they get sick. The virus and bacteria that cause pneumonia are contagious. This illness can spread when an infected person shares eating utensils or drinking glasses with another person.

She has lupus and is in her sixties. Luckily the antibiotics and steroids have kicked in and she seems to be getting better. I'm surprised no one warned us that it was contagious as my father visits her and he is not well.

Since your aunt is taking antibiotics, there should be minimal risk of passing the bacteria and viruses on. Encourage everyone in her household to wash their hands after handling handkerchiefs or used tissues. It's a good idea to separate your aunts eating utensils and drinking glasses separate from those of other family members.

Well she lives alone and when people visit they do use the glasses and cups etc but she has a dishwasher and is very fastidious so I think that everything should be very clean.