Show a r N 1 MICA MEDICALLY MEDIALLY f Venial Family Health Center AX pneumonia vaccine By fly Dr David Evans vans Ive I've heard there Is a new vaccine that prevents pneumonia If H true what can you tell me about It KC Vernal Viruses are extremely small particles particles particles par par- that cannot be seen with an ordinary ordinary ordinary or or- microscope Many types of oC viruses cause infections of the respiratory breathing tract ranging from Crom mild to severe The common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract which may maybe maybe maybe be caused by a number of oC different viruses Typically it begins with a scratchy sensation In the throat followed by runny nose sore throat sneezing and a sense of oC general discomfort Nasal stuffiness hoarseness hoarseness hoarseness hoar hoar- and coughing usually follow Collow Fever Is usually slight Colds generally clear up in a week or two There is no specific treatment except that given to relieve symptoms Flu influenza is an infection of oC the respiratory tract caused by a few Cew specific viruses It frequently appears in epidemic outbreaks although it may maybe maybe maybe be seen as individual cases As with a cold there is often orten irritation of oC the eyes nose and throat along with a cough Flu Fu is generally accompanied by headache fever and moderately severe muscular aches and pains in various parts of oC the body Symptoms clear up within five to ten days but a feeling of w weakness akness may last longer Pneumonia ia is an inflammation of the theair theair theair air sacs of the lungs which may be caused by bacteria viruses or other agents pneumonia is by far the most important and wide-spread wide of all the bacterial It is caused by the a specific kind of bacterium which occurs in more mor than 80 different strains or types pneumonia may occur in otherwise healthy persons However it often follows as a complication in inpatients inpatients inpatients patients who have been weakened by flu a bad cold or some other type of oC acute or chronic illness Th The onset of um o cal pneumonia may be sudden and severe T Ty p devI p pa a shaking chill a high fever a cough and stabbing chest pains These pains usually become worse on coughing or breathing in Prompt medical attention and treatment are required for Cor this potentially threatening life disease How low common is pneumonia pneumonia accounts for more than half of all that occur in the United States It is estimated that there are between and cases of pneumonia in the United States annually one to five cases per 1000 persons per year How many people die of pneumonia pneumonia remains a leading cause of death Between and Americans die of pneumonia each year Why do some pneumonia victims die despite antibiotics antibiotics antibiotics an an- In most cases patients with uncomplicated pneumonia respond to the prompt administration of an antibiotic such as penicillin However es especially Iff if ifE f E treatment is delayed or the patients patient's natural defenses are weakened pneumonia may f 4 severely impair vital body functions t and the patient may die before antibiotics antibiotics an an- have a chance to take effect f This is particularly true in older persons persons persons per per- sons and individuals with chronic r debilitating diseases A vaccine has c been needed to protect such persons F who are at high risk How effective is the recently developed vaccine The recently developed vaccine provides highly t effective protection p against 14 types of oC These types cause about 80 percent of oC all pneumonia in the United States In a ai i- i recent study of or the vaccine at least 90 percent of all adults showed a fourfold or greater increase in antibody production against each of the 14 types of 01 Antibody production is a major natural defer defense e mechanism against infection To whom should the vaccine be given Persons two years of oC age or older who are at high risk of 01 developing pneumonia and its life life- threatening complications These include include in in- clude dude 1 persons having chronic r physical conditions such as chronic heart disease chronic disease of thet the t lungs and bronchi air passages a t O S. S chronic kidney failure or diabetes mellitus 2 2 persons in chronic care facilities 3 3 persons convalescing from Crom severe disease 4 4 persons 50 years of age or older Your doctor will help decide whether you or a member of oC your family belong in this risk high-risk group Following vaccination the duration of oC protection is unknown Available data suggests that revaccination should not be carried out at less than year three-year intervals Are Arc there any unpleasant effects Based on clinical studies local redness and soreness at the injection site usually of oC less than 48 hours' hours duration occur commonly local swelling occurs less commonly Low-grade Low fever Cever less than 1009 degrees occurs occasionally and is usually confined to the hour 24 period Coli following owing vaccination The vaccine does not contain live organisms therefore it cannot cause pneumonia If Ive I've had a flu shot will I still need the pneumonia vaccine vaccine vaccine vac vac- cine Flu vaccine does not provide protection against pneumonia If your doctor has recommended that you have a flu vaccine injection he may also consider you to be among those for Cor whom the new pneumonia vaccine is recommended Consult your doctor about this Who should not receive the vaccine The vaccine should not be given to pregnant women Children under two years of age do not respond satisfactorily satisfactorily satisfactorily accordingly the vaccine is 15 not recommended in this age group C Certain other persons should not receive the vaccine Your physician will advise you if this applies to you If you have any further questions ask your physician Medical questions of general interest will be answered through this column If you have any comments or questions please send them to the Vernal Express Express Ex Ex- Ex- Ex press |