Why Should I Get The Free Flu Vaccine If I Have Asthma
If youve ever had flu, youll know it can put you in bed for days. Even if you only have mild asthma, flu can trigger symptoms that could leave you fighting for breath.
75% of people with asthma say flu triggers their asthma symptoms, raising the risk of a life-threatening asthma attack,”Dr Andy, Asthma UK’s in-house GP
This year its more important than ever to get the free flu vaccine if you have asthma, as its predicted that there will be much higher levels of flu around during the 2021/22 season, compared to 2020/21.
As a result of social distancing, the wearing of face coverings and lack of international travel, the number of people who got flu during the 2020/21 was extremely low around the world. Because of this, people are likely to be less immune to the flu than usual during the 2021/22 season.
Its also expected that this will be the first winter where flu will be circulating alongside COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, so the NHS will be facing severe winter pressures. Getting the flu vaccine reduces the numbers of people needing GP or hospital care. Try to book yours during the autumn, if you can.
And the flu vaccine not only protects you. It also helps prevent the spread of flu to friends, family and anyone you come into contact with.
The flu vaccine is likely to be in demand this year, so dont miss out!
Treatment For Pneumonia Depends On Its Cause
Treatment can range from rest and antibiotics to time in the hospital if you need oxygen to help you breathe. Your health care provider will determine the best course of action based on your age, overall health, and the type and severity of pneumonia.
No matter the treatment, it may be a few weeks before you feel back to normal.
Be patient with your recovery and take it easy returning to regular activities, Dr. Neutze says. Pneumonia can be a hard hit on the body, particularly if you end up getting hospitalized.
If you think you might have pneumonia or want to get a pneumonia vaccine, talk to your doctor. If you need a doctor, find one near you.
Does Having The Vaccine Stop Me From Giving The Virus To Other People
Data has now shown that being vaccinated prevents you from passing on the virus to others, if you were to catch COVID-19 after having the vaccine. Its thought that having one dose of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine cuts transmission rates by as much as half.
While this is encouraging news, its important that even after being vaccinated you continue to do what you can to prevent yourself from getting the virus. This includes following the social distancing guidance for where you live, wearing a face covering and continuing to regularly wash your hands.
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How Many Doses Of The Pneumococcal Vaccine Do I Need
Most adults only need the vaccine once. But your doctor may recommend you get another shot if its been a while since you have the vaccine or for other reasons. Ask your doctor how often you need the shot.
You do not have to get the pneumococcal vaccine every year, like the flu shot. You may only need to get it once and a booster shot a few years later. Find out what your doctor recommends.
How Are Asthma And Pneumonia Diagnosed
If you have the symptoms of asthma, your doctor will want a complete medical history. A physical exam includes inspecting your nose, throat, and airways.
Your doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to your lungs as you breathe. A whistling sound is a sign of asthma. You may also be asked to breathe into a spirometer to test your lung function. They may also perform allergy tests.
If your symptoms point toward pneumonia, your doctor will probably start by listening to your lungs. One of the hallmarks of pneumonia is that your lungs make a crackling sound when you breathe.
In most cases, a chest X-ray can confirm the diagnosis. If necessary, a CT chest scan can get a more detailed look at lung function.
You may also need blood work to make sure youre getting enough oxygen and to get a count of your white blood cells . Checking your mucus can also help your doctor determine what type of pneumonia you have.
Asthma requires both short-term treatment and long-term management. In most cases, doctors can treat and cure pneumonia within a short time.
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Vii Surveillance And Research Priorities
The epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease is changing in Canada and elsewhere, due to the use of PNEU-C-13 in the routine childhood schedule. Nationwide surveillance systems to detect these changes over time are essential. Optimal policy decisions about the use of pneumococcal vaccines requires ongoing surveillance for serotype-specific rates of invasive pneumococcal disease, serotype-specific estimates of the effectiveness of different vaccines, and continued assessment of the vaccine effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different vaccination schedules over time.
Surveillance and research which addresses the following outstanding questions is particularly encouraged:
- What is the incidence of IPD in children and adults with asthma in Canada?
- What is the efficacy, effectiveness and immunogenicity of pneumococcal vaccines in individuals with asthma?
- What is the impact of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines use in routine infants’ vaccination program on IPD in children and adults with asthma – in particular in terms of serotypes involved?
- What are the determinants of indirect protection of asthmatics conferred by routine childhood pneumococcal vaccination?
Measles Mumps Rubella And Varicella Vaccine
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care recently introduced a new measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine to the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules for Ontario.
Immunization against measles, mumps and rubella is required by law for all children attending school in Ontario, unless exempted. Immunization against varicella is also required for children born in 2010 or later.
What is measles?
Measles can be a serious infection. It causes high fever, cough, rash, runny nose and watery eyes. Measles lasts for one to two weeks. Ear infections or pneumonia can happen in one out of every 10 children with measles. Measles can also be complicated by encephalitis, an infection of the brain, in about one out of every 1,000 children with measles. This may cause brain damage and developmental delays. Measles can also make a pregnant woman have a miscarriage or give birth prematurely.
Measles spreads from person to person very easily and quickly. People can get measles from an infected person coughing or sneezing around them or simply talking to them.
What is mumps?
Mumps can cause very painful, swollen testicles in about one out of four teenage boys or adult men, and painful infection of the ovaries in one out of 20 women. Mumps infection during the first three months of pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage. Mumps can cause deafness in some people.
What is rubella ?
What is varicella ?
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Babies And The Pneumococcal Vaccine
Babies are routinely vaccinated with a type of pneumococcal vaccine known as the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine as part of their childhood vaccination programme.
Babies born on or after 1 January 2020 have 2 injections, which are usually given at:
- 12 weeks old
- 1 year old
Babies born before this date will continue to be offered 3 doses, at 8 and 16 weeks and a booster at 1 year.
What Is Pneumococcal Disease
Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by bacteria called âpneumococcus.â It can lead to serious, possibly deadly, illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis . Anyone can get these diseases, but some people have a higher risk. People with the highest risk include infants, people 65 years and older, and adults of any age with certain health conditions such as kidney disease. You also have a higher risk if you are on dialysis or have a kidney transplant.
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Are People With Asthma At Higher Risk Of Poor Outcomes From Covid
Early in the pandemic, there was concern that COVID-19 might affect people with asthma more severely, like in other respiratory diseases, such as COPD and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
But, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology , there isnt a significantly higher risk of a worse COVID-19 outcome in most people with asthma. Some data shows that only people with more active asthma are at a higher risk for poor outcomes with COVID-19 infection.
Likewise, the CDC considers only those with moderate to severe asthma at higher risk from severe illness from COVID-19. The NIH defines moderate to severe asthma as having daily symptoms, limitations in physical activity, and reduced lung capacity.
People with mild, well-controlled asthma tend to have better outcomes with COVID-19. And some people with asthma may actually have a lower risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 than those without asthma. More studies are needed to confirm if, or why, this may be true.
Can You Prevent Pneumococcal Disease
The best way you can avoid getting pneumococcal disease is to get a vaccine. People at risk should get the shot, such as:
- Children younger than 2 years old
- Adults 65 and older
- Adults with weak immune systems
- Adults who smoke
- Anyone with a chronic disease, such as asthma or other lung diseases
The pneumococcal vaccine is safe and effective.1 There are two types available. Adults with certain medical conditions may need both shots. This includes adults with asthma who take corticosteroids. Medicare and most insurance companies pay for the shot. Talk to your doctor about which one is right for you.
If you have had a pneumococcal infection in the past, it will not keep you from getting it again. You still need the shot.
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Is The Vaccine Safe For People With Lung Conditions
The vaccine is safe for people with lung conditions. The vaccine has been tested on people with long-term conditions and on people from a range of age groups, including older people. The JCVI has decided it is safe for people with long-term conditions and that people who are high-risk should be prioritised to get the vaccine first. There is no reason to think the vaccination interacts with any medications. Treatment you are on for your lung condition should continue as normal.
If you are on a blood thinner caller warfarin you should be going for regular blood tests to monitor the thickness of your blood. On the day of your vaccine appointment, make sure you know your latest reading and when you were last checked. If you dont know your reading, you can get it from your GP surgery. If your reading is unknown, it could mean your vaccination might not be able to go ahead. Vaccination centres dont have access to your medical records and so cant look up your reading on the day.
All approved vaccines have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness. All approved coronavirus vaccines must go through all the clinical trials and checks all other licensed medicines go through. Other vaccines are being developed and will only be available to the public once theyve been thoroughly tested.
You should only look at reliable sources of information about coronavirus vaccine that are updated regularly, such as this webpage and the NHS.
Lets Review Which Ones Are Recommended And When
The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine , is also sometimes referred to by the brand name Prevnar. As its name suggests, it protects against 13 different subtypes of pneumooccal bacteria. The PCV13 is recommended for all babies and children younger than 2 years old and is a part of the standard childhood vaccine schedule. Additionally, it is recommended for:
Anyone ages 2 through 64 years old with certain immunocompromising conditions. These conditions include functional or anatomic asplenia, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, or having cochlear implants. All adults 65 years or older, regardless of health status.
The second pneumonia vaccine available is the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine . This is also referred to by the brand name brand name Pneumovax. It protects against 23 subtypes of pneumococcal bacteria. This vaccine is recommended for:
All adults 65 years of age and older. Anyone ages 2 through 64 years of age with certain long-term health problems . Adults 19 through 64 years of age who smoke cigarettes.
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Effectiveness Of The Pneumococcal Vaccine
Children respond very well to the pneumococcal vaccine.
The introduction of this vaccine into the NHS childhood vaccination schedule has resulted in a large reduction in pneumococcal disease.
The pneumococcal vaccine given to older children and adults is thought to be around 50 to 70% effective at preventing pneumococcal disease.
Both types of pneumococcal vaccine are inactivated or “killed” vaccines and do not contain any live organisms. They cannot cause the infections they protect against.
What Should People With Asthma Discuss With Their Healthcare Teams About The Covid
Ask in advance what you should do if your asthma flares up or if youre receiving immunotherapy shots or biologic infusions, Stukus says. Your healthcare providers can help determine whats right for you. Each individual should discuss these specific scenarios with their own allergist, if it pertains to them, he says.
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Side Effects Of The Pneumococcal Vaccine
Like most vaccines, the childhood and adult versions of the pneumococcal vaccine can sometimes cause mild side effects.
These include:
- redness where the injection was given
- hardness or swelling where the injection was given
There are no serious side effects listed for either the childhood or adult versions of the vaccine, apart from an extremely rare risk of a severe allergic reaction .
Where Can I Get A Covid
You may be able to get vaccinated at your doctors office, at a local health clinic or hospital, or at a vaccination site set up in your community or nearby. There are also drive-through vaccination centers in some states.
Pharmacies including CVS, Walmart, Walgreens, and others were scheduled to start receiving the vaccine in February, too, according to the CDC. Find out more about options near you by using the CDCs vaccine locator tool. Call before you go to a vaccine site to make sure youre eligible, that the vaccine is available, and to check if you need an appointment.
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Why Should I Worry About Pneumonia
People with asthma have a higher risk of developing pneumonia due to previous lung damage or weakness of the lung tissue caused by asthma. In fact, pneumonia is a leading cause of hospitalization in children and adults. How your body responds to pneumonia depends on which type of infection you have, your age and overall health. While anyone can get pneumonia, people living with asthma are more likely to develop pneumonia after getting sick with the flu than people without asthma. Adults 65 or older living with asthma have a 5.9 times greater risk than their healthy counterparts of contracting pneumococcal pneumonia. This is because as you get older, your bodys immune system naturally weakens making it harder for our bodies to fight off infections. It can also take you longer to recover and you are more likely to develop serious complications. Assess and understand your risk for getting pneumococcal pneumonia by taking our quick risk assessment.
How Effective Is The Coronavirus Vaccine Is Protection Instant
All approved coronavirus vaccines are very effective. But protection from any vaccine takes time to build up and, in general, the older you are the longer it takes. Its thought that it will take at least 2 weeks in younger people and at least 3 weeks in older people before you can expect a good antibody response.
A recent study has shown that fully vaccinated people are three times less likely to be infected with coronavirus. The first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will give you some protection from the virus. But you need to have 2 doses of the vaccine to give you the best protection. Therefore, its really important you continue to protect yourself and others from catching or spreading the virus.
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Are There Any Special Situations I Should Be Aware Of
Tetanus shots are for more than routine prevention. They can also help prevent infection when you get cut.
If your wound is minor and clean , youd only need a booster if its been more than 10 years since your last one. Either a Tdap or Td shot can be used.
For some injuries, such as puncture wounds or animal attacks, you may need a tetanus shot sooner. In these situations, a Tdap or Td vaccine is recommended if its been more than 5 years since your last booster.
The Government Asked Everyone To Get Vaccinated And People Died
Sometimes people share conspiracy theories or misinformation about health issues. Make sure you are getting your information from a trusted sourcelike your own medical care teamwhich might include your primary care provider, your asthma healthcare provider, nurse, pharmacist, and respiratory therapist.
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Everything You Need To Know About The Pneumonia Vaccine
During the winter months, many people think that they have a nasty cold or flu, but it turns out to be pneumonia an illness that can be life threatening in certain people. A vaccine can help lower your chance of contracting pneumonia. While the pneumonia vaccine does not prevent all cases of pneumonia, it reduces the severity of the disease.
That is especially important for older adults and if you have certain medical conditions that put you at greater risk for complications.
Now is the time to talk to your doctor about your risks and if you need a vaccine to protect you against pneumonia.
Niharika Juwarkar, MD, Internal Medicine with Firelands Physician Group, answers your most frequently asked questions about pneumonia and the risks.
What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a respiratory lung infection that is often mistaken for the flu. Your lungs become filled with fluid or pus that results in inflammation. Symptoms are very similar to the flu, but pneumonia can last for weeks and result in very serious complications.
While pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, most cases are due to a specific bacteria called streptococcus pneumoniae, more commonly known as pneumococcal pneumonia. This form can be treated with antibiotics. Your doctor can test to see what form of pneumonia you have. Treatment depends on the type of pneumonia you have and the severity of your symptoms. But, the best defense is vaccination.
Who is most at risk for pneumonia?