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Show - WHOLE FAMILY Seniors Need Shot in the Arm c More than 40,000 lives could be saved each year if senior citizens were immunized against common diseases. Many of these illnesses are thought of as "childhood diseases," but can be particularly dangerous when contracted by someone over age 65. According to Stephen Fox, D.O., an osteopathic physician with a special interest in geriatrics and preventive medicine, the five most important vaccines for senior citizens are those for influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia, measles, tetanus, and diphtheria. Influenza. "Flu," caused by a respiratory tract virus, accounts for about 16,000 deaths among senior citizens every year. Countless thousands of others suffer annual bouts of fever, chills, muscle aches and weakness. "Studies show that flu vaccines are nearly 80 effective and provide the most protection when received in October and November," says Dr. Fox. A yearly flu shot is required to maintain adequate protection. Pneumococcal Pneumonia. According Ac-cording to Dr. Fox, pneumococcal pneumonia occurs in all age groups, but senior citizens are twice as likely as others to get it. "This disease can be fatal, especially among older persons," he cautions. Only one shot is necessary for protection. Measles. When adults contract measles, they often suffer more serious complications than children experience. The most serious risk of adult measles is brain damage. Dr. Fox recommends a one-time V, vaccination for those who have never been vaccinated with live vaccine or who have never had measles. Tetanus. "A tetanus vaccination protects against lockjaw, a dangerous disease which begins with a stiffness in the face, neck, jaw or back," says Dr. Fox. "Contrary to popular opinion, , people don't Stephen alway8 get Fox, D.O. tetanus by stepping step-ping on a rusty nail. Any minor household scratch or burn can lead to the disease." Because the vaccine does not provide lifetime protection, a primary shot should be followed by a booster after ten years. Diphtheria. Fewer than 20 percent of adults over age 65 are protected against this disease. According to Dr. Fox, "Protection against this potentially poten-tially fatal disease requires a onetime one-time shot, followed by a booster every ten years. Often the diphtheria shots are given in combination with tetanus shots. "Adults usually don't think about immunizations for themselves," Dr. Fox continues, but because childhood diseases can be particularly serious in older adults, everyone needs proper protection!" |
