SHARES
David a 38-year-old IT professional, will never forget the pneumonia episode late last year. Working tirelessly to meet work datelines, he was stressed and overworked. On a cold rainy evening in early December, he thought he was coming down with a cold. 2 days later, he was convinced he caught a very bad flu with chills, a wheezing cough and feeling fatigued.
By the 5th day, David had a high fever, a heavy congested chest and struggled with every breath to fill his lungs with air. Feeling breathless and helpless, he headed to the ER and from there he was admitted into the ICU.
David was intubated to a machine to breathe for him and sedated into a medically induced coma. He woke up a day later, to be told he had pneumonia. For the next two weeks it was a touch and go between pneumonia and him.
Not so many people survive, as 30% would succumb to severe pneumonia in the ICU. Thankfully, David pulled through, he was taken off the machine and went home on Christmas eve. Still weak and frail, David was bedridden till he slowly made a full recovery. For him, it was a very scary experience!
Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by viral, bacterial or fungal infections, where air sacs in the lungs are inflamed. The most common bacterial type which causes pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumonia.
Source: WikipediaIn pneumonia you experience symptoms such as fever, flu, chills, cough, shortness of breath and fatigue. Antibiotics will be the first line treatment depending on the organism causing infections and the antibiotic resistance. Complications of pneumonia include sepsis, pleural effusion (fluid in the space between the lungs and chest wall) and empyema.
Some cases of pneumonia can be life threatening. Pneumonia can occur at any age, but it is more common in elderly people who have a weakened immune system.
We are fortunate to live in an age of modern medicine where vaccines are available to prevent many, though not all, of these cases. Vaccines should be given to all those who need them.
Pneumococcal Vaccine (Pneumonia Vaccine)
Who should have the pneumococcal vaccine?
- For all children younger than 2 years old.
- All adults 65 years or older.
- Adults who smoke cigarettes.
- People who are from 2-64 years old with weakened immune system or medical condition.
- Children or adults with long term health condition, such as heart or kidney condition.
Who should not be given the pneumococcal vaccine?
- If you have any life-threatening allergic reaction towards any component of the vaccine.
- If you are not feeling, wait till you had fully recovered before getting the vaccination.
- If you are pregnant or still breastfeeding.
Types of vaccine available:
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine – Prevnar 13®
This vaccine is given to children at 2, 4, 6, and 12 through 15 months old.
Adults needing this vaccine only get a single dose. The vaccine is to protect against the 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria that commonly cause serious pneumonia infections. It can also help prevent ear infections and pneumonia caused by those 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria.
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine – Pneumovax 23®:
A single dose of this vaccine is given. It is recommended to give one or two additional doses for people with certain chronic medical conditions. This vaccine helps protect against serious infections caused by 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria.
Possible side-effects:
- Common side effects are pain, redness, swelling at the injection site and a low grade fever.
- Children may also experience decreased appetite, irritability, drowsiness.
- Some may experience severe allergic reaction after vaccination which requires urgent medical assistance.,
More than 88% of adults are aware about pneumonia, but just 29% are aware of prevention by vaccination, and just 1 in 10 actually received the vaccine! What are you waiting for, if you need the vaccination, go see your family doctor today!
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Reference
- Pneumococcal vaccination. [Internet][cited 2019 March 22nd] Available from:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/public/index.html
- Pneumonia vaccine. [Internet][cited 2019 March 22nd] Available from:
https://www.webmd.com/lung/pneumococcal-vaccine-schedule#1
- Pneumococcal vaccine. [Internet][cited 2019 March 22nd] Available from:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pneumococcal-vaccination/
- Pneumococcal vaccine. [Internet][cited 2019 March 22nd] Available from:
http://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/pneumococcal-vaccine/
by Leelah
'' The first step towards a change is awareness !'' The saying which inspired the medical graduate to reach the public through GetDoc. View all articles by Leelah.
