Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome - Risk Factors - Risk Factors
You may have an increased risk of ARDS because of infection, environmental exposures, lifestyle habits, genetic , other medical conditions or procedures, race, or sex. Risk factors can vary depending on your age, overall health, where you live, and the healthcare setting in which you receive care.
Infection
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Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome - Risk Factors
Infections are the most common risk factors for ARDS. These may include:
- Flu or other viruses , such as respiratory syncytial virus and SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Watch this video to learn more about how COVID-19 affects the lungs. Additionally, we offer information and resources on how we are working hard to support necessary COVID-19 research.
- Pneumonia
- sepsis , a condition in which bacteria infect the bloodstream
- Uterine infection in the mother, affecting a newborn’s lungs
Environment
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Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome - Risk Factors
Being exposed to air pollution for weeks or months can make you more vulnerable to ARDS.
Lifestyle habits
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Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome - Risk Factors
Habits that harm the health of your lungs increase your risk of ARDS. These include:
- Heavy alcohol use
- Overdose of illegal drugs
- Smoking
Family history and genetics
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Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome - Risk Factors
The gene you inherit may put you at an increased risk for ARDS. These genes play a role in how the lungs respond to damage.
Other medical conditions or procedures
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Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome - Risk Factors
Other medical conditions, injuries, or medical procedures can raise your risk for ARDS. These may include:
- Blood transfusions
- Fat embolism, in which a clot of fat blocks an arteries . A physical injury, such as a broken bone, can lead to a fat embolism.
- Hemorrhagic shock
- Inhaling vomit, smoke, chemical fumes, or water during a near drowning
- Injury, such as from a blow or burns
- Lung injury from being on a ventilator
- Lung or heart surgery, or being placed on a heart-lung bypass machine
- Newborn lung conditions, which can raise the risk of your baby having neonatal ARDS. These include pneumonia and a condition where the unborn baby passes stool while still in the womb, and the stool is then inhaled into his or her lungs. Your baby is also at higher risk if he or she did not get enough oxygen during delivery.
- Pancreatitis, a condition in which the pancreas becomes infected. The pancreas is a gland that releases enzyme and hormone .
- Pulmonary vasculitis
- Reaction to medicine, such as those used to treat cancer or arrhythmia
Race or ethnicity
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Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome - Risk Factors
The risk of developing ARDS is higher among nonwhite groups.
Sex
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Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome - Risk Factors
Among children, boys are at a higher risk of ARDS than girls are.
Learn more about how ARDS in newborns is different from respiratory distress syndrome, a similar breathing condition that also affects newborns.
Both ARDS and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) are breathing disorders that affect newborns. They have some similar risk factors and signs . However, the causes of the conditions are different. RDS occurs most often in preterm babies whose lungs are not fully developed. In ARDS, the newborn’s lungs are fully developed, but damage from an injury, infection, or inflammation causes the lungs to stop working well.
Visit our Respiratory Distress Syndrome Health Topic to learn more.