Which measures are recommended for CAP prevention?

• A. Smoking cessation; influenza vaccination; pneumococcal vaccination (PCV20 or PCV15 + PPSV23)
• B. Regular vigorous exercise only
• C. No vaccines are recommended
• D. Antibiotics are the only prevention

Answer: (A)

Prevention of CAP relies on reducing exposure to the pathogens that commonly cause pneumonia and supporting the lung’s defenses. Quitting smoking removes a major risk factor that impairs mucociliary clearance and immune responses in the airways, directly lowering the chance of developing pneumonia. Influenza vaccination decreases chances of influenza infection, and since influenza often leads to secondary bacterial pneumonia, vaccination also reduces CAP risk. Pneumococcal vaccination with PCV20 or with a PCV15 dose followed by PPSV23 broadens protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae, a leading cause of CAP, and helps prevent pneumococcal pneumonia and invasive disease. While regular exercise is beneficial overall, it is not by itself a proven method to prevent CAP, and relying on antibiotics to prevent CAP is not appropriate due to resistance and lack of proven benefit.