Page 5 - SYNERGY HomeCare Magazine - Winter 2016
P. 5
Last year, the vaccine doctor to determine if SHOTSOF PREVENTION
offered little protection this is a safe option.
because it did not As we get older, Federal officials
protect against the If the flu shot is not an our immune recommend anyone
particular viral strain option, doctors may systems can 60 and older get a
that affected so many. prescribe antiviral weaken over shingles vaccine. At
This mismatch caused a medications to help an time, and the very least, it can
severe flu season and led older adult avoid the flu. decrease the severity
to a record number of protection from and complications of
hospitalizations for flu Every day, precautions some childhood shingles.
among the elderly. for staying healthy are
especially important for vaccines may Pneumococcal
wear off, putting disease
This year’s vaccine contains the new
H3N2 strain, as well as two other us at higher Pneumococcal
strains that are expected to sicken risk for certain disease is a very
people. Flu shots are available at diseases. While serious infection
doctor’s offices and many pharmacies. the flu shot seems caused by
to get the bulk bacteria. There
Experts from the CDC the elderly. Frequent of the attention are different types
say it takes about two hand washing and every year, there of pneumococcal
weeks after vaccination staying away from are some other disease, including
for the body to develop other people who are lung infections
protection from the flu. sick are easy ways to vaccines that (pneumonia), blood
stay healthy. seniors need infections, middle
The traditional flu shot to consider. ear infections, and
and a new high-dose Visit www.cdc.gov infections of the
flu vaccine are available Shingles brain and spinal
for the elderly. Before cord membranes
getting a flu shot, seniors Shingles is caused by (meningitis).
should check with their the same virus that
causes chickenpox — Pneumococcal
the same virus many bacteria are spread by
people get when they coughing, sneezing
are children. or coming in contact
with respiratory
Symptoms include a secretions. The
blistering rash most bacteria are hard to
often on either side treat because they
of the torso. The rash have become resistant
can last two to four to antibiotics.
weeks. Some people Pneumococcal
can experience disease kills about
pain after the rash 4,000 to 5,000 people
goes away. each year in the
United States.
According to the
Centers for Disease Adults 65 and older,
Control and especially those with
Prevention, one in high-risk medical
three Americans conditions, are urged
will experience to talk with their
shingles in their medical providers
lifetime. Someone about getting the
who’s never had pneumococcal
the virus can catch vaccine — considered
it from an infected the best way to
person, but they’ll prevent the disease.
get chickenpox,
not shingles. A vaccine is especially
important for smokers
and those with high-risk
medical conditions, such
as chronic respiratory
diseases, cardiovascular
diseases and diabetes.
