 | Glen Mathis has been the co-owner of Mathis Drug Store in Girard since 1983. For more information or to reach Glen, please call 620-724-4313. |
Health & Medicine
2011-10-20 11:00:34
Prevention is worth a shot
Q: Can you give me some information on pneumonia shots? When should you consider getting one? Does it protect against all types of pneumonia?
A: Pneumonia shots help protect against pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease is the cause of severe illness and even death. In fact, it kills more people in the United States each year than all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined.
Pneumococcal disease can lead to serious infections of the lungs (pneumonia), the blood (bacteremia), and the covering of the brain (meningitis), all of which can be very serious.
•One out of every 20 people die
from pneumococcal pneumonia.
•Two out of every 10 who get
bacteremia.
•Three out of every 10 who get
meningitis.
So you can see, pneumonia shots are well worth the momentary discomfort!
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, everyone age 65 and older should get the pneumonia vaccine, as well as younger people with certain health risks.
Ask a doctor for the vaccine if you:
•Are age 50 or older.
•Have a chronic illness, such as
heart or lung disease or diabetes.
•Have a weak immune system.
(This can be caused
by certain
kidney
diseases, some
cancers,
HIV infections
organ transplant
medicines, and other
disease.)
•Have breathing problems, such as
asthma.
You should get these shots once every five years, or at the very least once in your lifetime. Most insurance will pick up all or at least part of the costs of it, including Medicare and Medicaid.
