Definition: Influenza or "flu" is an infection of the respiratory tract that can
affect millions of people every year. It is highly contagious and occurs mainly in
the late fall, winter, or early spring. Influenza is spread from person-to-person
through mists or sprays of infectious respiratory secretions caused by coughing and
sneezing. Influenza affects all age groups and causes moderate to severe illness, with
complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization, and death. Each year about 36,000
Americans die because of influenza or influenza related pneumonia. Over 90% of the
deaths occur in persons aged 65 years and older. Pneumonia and influenza together are
the 6th most common cause of death in the United States.
Symptoms: Influenza is an illness which is different from,
and usually much more severe than, the "common cold." It takes about 1-2 days from the
time of exposure to the virus to the development of symptoms. Common symptoms include
sudden fever, often as high as 104° F, with shaking chills, moderate or severe muscle
and joint aches and pains, sweating, a dry cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, and
headache. In addition, people infected with influenza complain of moderate or severe
malaise and fatigue. Illness can last for up to 1-2 weeks, although fever generally
lasts only 3-8 days.
Vaccination: The best way to protect you from influenza is to
receive an annual flu immunization. The influenza vaccine is an inactivated (killed)
viral vaccine. The influenza vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. You cannot get
influenza by receiving an influenza shot with the inactivated vaccine. As with almost
any type of medication or medical procedure, there may be side effects of the vaccine.
The most common type of side effect is soreness at the injection site. Soreness can last
up to two days, is mild, and rarely will impair daily activities.
Who Should Not Get the Influenza Vaccine: You should avoid the
influenza vaccination and talk to your physician if you are considering influenza
vaccination and you have or have had: An allergic reaction to chicken eggs, (welts,
tongue swelling, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, etc.), or a previous serious
reaction to an influenza shot, or a rare paralytic disorder called Guillain-Barre Syndrome
which was thought caused by a previous flu shot , or an acute illness with fever.
How to avoid getting the flu virus: Wash hands regularly &
thoroughly, avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth. Don't share eating utensils, drinks,
towels or other items. Avoid crowds where people may spread the virus. If you are sick,
stay home. Get your annual flu shot.
Pneumococcal vaccination is commonly referred to as the “pneumonia shot” does not
actually prevent a person from getting pneumonia. What the vaccination does prevent is
the pneumonia from progressing onto other more severe forms of the infection that can
cause serious debilitation and even death.
Pneumococcal - In short Symptoms:
Pneumococcal pneumonia (begins with high fever, cough, and stabbing chest pains),
bacteremia, and meningitis Complications:
Death (one of the most common causes of death in America from a vaccine-preventable disease) Transmission:
Pneumococcus is in many people's noses and throats. Why it suddenly invades the body and
causes disease is unknown. Vaccine:
Pneumococcal vaccine is very good at preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death.
However it is not guaranteed to prevent all symptoms in all people.
Over seven million pneumococcal infections occur in the United States annually. About
40,000 Americans die annually from pneumococcal infections, a total which makes the
pneumococcus the most lethal bacterium in the United States. For unclear reasons the
pneumococcus causes serious illness more frequently in blacks and Native Americans.
Once a local infection develops, pneumococci can multiply and invade the blood stream,
resulting in a very serious condition known as bacteremia or blood stream infection.
Pneumococci which have invaded the blood stream can then spread to other locations
in the body, such as the coverings of the brain and spinal cord.
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