Pneumonia Vaccination Reminder

[eureka254]

There's been lots of discussion about seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccination, but many people tend to forget how dangerous pneumonia can be, especially if you have a chronic condition.  Over 40,000 deaths occur every year in the US alone due to pneumonia -- and it's preventable!

The CDC recommends certain people get the pneumonia vaccine:
    * All adults 65 years of age and older.
    * Anyone 2 through 64 years of age who has a long-term health problem such as: heart disease, lung disease, sickle cell disease, diabetes, alcoholism, cirrhosis, leaks of cerebrospinal fluid or cochlear implant
    * Anyone 2 through 64 years of age who has a disease or condition that lowers the body’s resistance to infection, such as: Hodgkin’s disease; lymphoma or leukemia; kidney failure; multiple myeloma; nephrotic syndrome; HIV infection or AIDS; damaged spleen, or no spleen; organ transplant.
    * Anyone 2 through 64 years of age who is taking a drug or treatment that lowers the body’s resistance to infection, such as: long-term steroids, certain cancer drugs, radiation therapy
    * Any adult 19 through 64 years of age who is a smoker or has asthma

My husband's scheduled to get his 2nd pneumonia shot on Monday, and I just want to remind everyone to consider doing the same.  ~eureka

[GoofyDad]

Got my pneumonia shot w/ the seasonal flu vaccine on Monday. My arm is stiiiiiiilllll sore - actually it's maybe still getting worse yet. If they put more mercury in, that might help, plus I'd be better at deciding how warmly to dress in the morning.  

I'll get the h1n1 whan that's available here in injection. Didn't know there were two pneumonia shots, but I do know they only cover a fraction of the bugs.

The deal with h1n1 is it rapidly damages the little hairs (silica?) that keep harmfull crap out of your lungs. That leaves you vulnerable to other opportunistic infections.

[susan400]

I got a pneumonia vax about 10 yrs ago.  I've gotten my seasonal flu shot and my H1N1 shot.  I had worse side effects from the seasonal flu shot than I did with the H1N1 shot..., just to let anybody know that hasn't gotten H1N1 yet.  I really found it to be no big deal.  The only side effect that I had was a bit of a sore arm at the shot site for a few days. I had no fever w/the H1N1 shot.  I did have fever with the seas.flu shot.  

Susan400

[eureka254]

I appreciate you pointing that out -- I can see how my original post could lead people to think pneumonia vaccines are annual, which they are not.  My understand is that there are 2 vaccines for pneumonia (for different strains), hence my husband's "2nd shot," but from here on out it'll be every 5 years.  Thanks for clarifying :) ! ~eureka
PS- Hope your hcv is history for good too!

[Joey_M]

Good idea to check with your MD on your risk and whether the Pneumovax vaccine should be taken. It is administered every 5 to 10 years and not annually. I have other risk factors besides Hep C (hopefully it is history for good) so I remind my doctor every 5 years that it is time.

[orphanedhawk]

Oops,
I thought this was about swine flu. Now I see its about pneumonia.
OH

[orphanedhawk]

The main problem is for those with respiratory problems as the flu can rapidly become pneumonia.
The reason behind some of the recommendations is that some meds and illnesses reduce the immune system.

Several members of my family have had H1N1. All suffered a normal flu, which lasted for about one week. They were given theraflu.

On BBC the other night, they said the expected death rate in the UK, has been dropped from 65,000 to 1,000.

Its real. Its spreading. And for most people, its just another flu.

[Bill1954]

Thanks for the information; so many of us fit that profile. And your diplomacy is to be commended as well :o).

Bill

[eureka254]

A consideration for people at risk is all.  You may not be at risk, so it may not apply to you, but when and if I ever come across the right vegetable/fruit/grain combinant to help prevent pneumonia, I'll post that just for you ;).

[Rockerforlife]

How many vaccines are we "supposed" to inject every year?Seems like there is a vaccine and a pill for everything.