Pneumonia Shot

[wilheim]

I had one today, and my arm is killing me.



Why should some people have this shot?

Pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common kind of pneumonia. It can occur after an upper respiratory tract infection, such as a cold or the flu, especially if you have a chronic disease or are over age 65. It affects nearly 500,000 Americans each year. Over 40,000 people die from it every year. The risk of getting pneumonia increases after age 40 and doubles after age 60. This shot cannot protect you from all types of pneumonia, but it can prevent the most common form.

Who should have the shot?

Your health care provider may recommend the shot if:

• <LI class=crsli>You are 65 years old or older. <LI class=crsli>You are scheduled to have chemotherapy (have the shot at least 2 weeks before chemotherapy starts). <LI class=crsli>You have diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung disease, kidney disease, or liver disease. <LI class=crsli>You have leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, or lymphoma. <LI class=crsli>You are an alcoholic. <LI class=crsli>You have HIV/AIDS, an organ transplant, or another condition that has weakened your immune system. <LI class=crsli>You have sickle cell disease.
• Your spleen has been removed.

You should have no more than 2 shots of the pneumonia vaccine in your lifetime. The shots should be given at least 5 years apart.

Do not get the shot if you:

• <LI class=crsli>have an infection now (wait until the infection symptoms go away) <LI class=crsli>are allergic to thimerosal (a preservative made from mercury)
• had an allergic reaction to the vaccine in the past.

Talk to your health care provider before getting the shot if you think you are allergic to eggs.



wil.:sad3: