About the Pneumonia Vaccine
Frank
Barnhill M.D.
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About the Pneumonia Vaccine
Frank
Barnhill M.D. |
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“But Doc!” “I took a pneumonia shot last year.” Patients are often frustrated when told they may have pneumonia even though they had a pneumonia vaccine in the past year or two. Unfortunately, it’s a common misunderstanding that the “pneumonia shot” prevents pneumonia. It’s important to understand both bronchitis and pneumonia can be caused by dozens of viruses, bacteria, and molds or fungi. It’s very confusing, but when we say we have pneumonia, the illness may actually be caused by a germ other than the one for which the “pneumonia shot” was made (streptococcal pneumoniae). Ah, but the good news is that adult pneumonia vaccines were really developed to prevent the serious illnesses that can occur along with “pneumonia” or pneumoniae infections. These include septicemia (blood stream infection), meningitis (brain infections), and kidney damage. So, having a pneumonia shot may not “keep you from getting pneumonia”. You get pneumonia by inhaling infected droplets of moisture into your respiratory system and then down into your lungs. I guess you could say, “Breathing around persons with a cough could be hazardous to your health.” That’s why we should all use good handkerchiefs to cover our mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Just like pneumonia vaccine, the influenza vaccine you receive in the fall and early winter, will decrease the chance you will develop serious side effects of the specific flu strains contained in the mix, but often won’t help you completely avoid infection with common flu viruses or with all those other dozens of virus strains that are not a part of the vaccine. We strongly advise pneumonia and influenza vaccination for all persons with chronic diseases such as emphysema, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and any illness affecting the immune systems “ability to fight infection”. Likewise, influenza vaccine is recommended for all persons over age 65 and children in daycare centers. Dr. Frank Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians 2006 Jackson L.A., Neuzil K.M., et al; Effectiveness of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in older adults. New England Journal 2003 |
These health tips are offered for your common sense use and are not intended to take the place of a visit to your doctor. Your use of the materials implies your understanding that nothing herein contained represents individual medical advice. drhuggiebear, drhuggiebear.com and contained materials are the copyrighted and/or registered properties of Frank Barnhill, M.D. and may not be reproduced for profit without the express written permission of the author. All materials may be photocopied in whole for educational use. For information please contact us at drfrank@drhuggiebear.com. |
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