Pneumonia Vaccine for High Risk Groups
The American Lung Association Encourages High Risk
Groups To Seek Out A Pneumonia Vaccine
In Light of A Flu
Vaccine Shortage, elderly and people with chronic illnesses can help mitigate a
deadly flu complication: pneumonia
November 8, 2004
New York, NY - Sometimes
complications from the flu can lead to pneumonia
. With the recent flu vaccine
shortage in the U.S. those at high risk for the flu should ask their doctor for
a pneumonia vaccine to help protect their health
this winter.
Pneumonia, a serious infection resulting in inflammation of the lungs, usually occurs when a
person's defense system is weakened in some way, such as the flu. People at
highest risk for pneumonia are those 65 years or older, post-operative patients,
people with chronic illnesses such as lung disease, and
those living in a nursing home or other chronic care facility.
For this reason, the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine is
suggested for these highest risk populations. This type of pneumonia is
responsible for about 30 percent of pneumonia you can catch outside an
institutional setting such as a nursing home or hospital. Pneumococcal pneumonia is the single most common
organism causing community-acquired pneumonia. Unlike the flu vaccine the
pneumonia vaccine does not need to be administered every year. Consult your
primary care physician to find out whether you
have previously been vaccinated and if so when you may need to be vaccinated
again. Pneumonia vaccines are
available and there are no reports of a supply shortage.
Aside from flu-like symptoms such as fever, dry cough, headache, muscle pain
and weakness pneumonia symptoms include chest pain, chills with shaking, mucus
producing cough, excessive sweating and rapid heart beat, sore throat, and
difficulty breathing or rapid breathing which may result in bluish-lips due to
lack of oxygen. "It's important that people at risk for pneumonia get protection
in some way, especially if they are unable to get the flu shot," said
Norman H. Edelman, M.D., director of scientific affairs for the American Lung Association.
The elderly are the group hardest hit by pneumonia each year. In 2002 close
to 65,000 people died from pneumonia, 90 percent of those deaths were in those
65 years or older. One of the reasons the elderly are encouraged by doctors and
the public health community to get a flu vaccine is because pneumonia can be a
deadly complication of the flu. With the inability of many to get their flu
vaccine this year, a pneumonia vaccine may be an option for some. Those 65 years
or older who have been able to get a flu vaccine should also get a pneumonia
vaccine for added health protection.
Early diagnosis and
effective treatment are key for overcoming pneumonia. If you experience symptoms
of pneumonia call your health care provider immediately. A hospital stay or
recovery at home may be recommended and you should continue to take the medicine
your health care provider prescribed until you are told to stop.
Source: American Lung Association press release, November 8, 2004,
www.lungusa.org
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Last Editorial Review: 11/15/2004
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