Take a Shot at Pneumonia!
As we learn more and more about the H1N1 influenza, more recommendations are coming out to help keep people healthy during this outbreak. The influenza illness during this outbreak is mild to moderate in severity so far, but infections could continue to spread for several months. We will all need to keep up with our good hand washing to stay healthy. We will also stay alert for new H1N1 vaccine developments. But, are there other things that can be done?
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended another preventive measure for a particular at-risk group. There is a vaccine for the most common form of bacterial pneumonia, which has been around for awhile. This vaccine is called PPSV-23, because it protects against 23 serotypes of pneumococcal pneumonia. It is recommended for everyone over age 65. That doesn't involve very many students. However, it is also recommended for people with the following health issues:
- Asthma
- Current smoker
- Long-term health problems (heart, lung, blood, diabetes, central nervous system)
- Hodgkin's disease, lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma
- Kidney disease
- HIV disease or infection
- No spleen
- On cancer treatment or long-term steroids
So, why are we talking about this vaccine, when it has been around for awhile? For one reason, recent surveys have shown that only 16% of people from 18-49 years old who should get this vaccine are getting this vaccine.
The other reason is that pneumonia is one of the most serious complications of influenza. The more flu we have in the community, the more dangerous it is for these at-risk people to go around unvaccinated!
PPSV-23 is available at Student Health, and costs between $50-60. A single dose is good for at least 5 years. It is worth the investment. Call 614-292-4321 to make an appointment.
Want more information? Visit the CDC Pneumococcal Disease Page.