Western New York Adult Immunization Coalition (WNYAIC)

Flu, Pneumonia and Adult Immunization Information

Flu Information

Influenza Overview

Every year, an average of 36,000 people die from influenza (flu) and more than 226,000 end up in the hospital. More people die from the flu than from all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined. Annual influenza immunizations (flu shots) are the best way to prevent the flu and its serious complications, including death.

The flu is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. It is spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing . Most people who have experienced the flu know the miseries it can cause—fever, muscle aches, headache, coughing, and runny nose. But for some people, especially infants, the elderly, and those with underlying medical conditions, the flu can be much more serious, leading to hospitalizations and even death. A flu shot every year is your best protection.

The flu can kill, and it can spread easily. In most people, the flu is contagious for up to 2 days before the onset of symptoms until about 5 days after they begin. That means the flu has 7 days to spread to anyone with whom the infected person comes into contact. People with the flu usually have a fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, runny nose, and watery eyes. They usually feel extremely tired. Although most symptoms last about 3 to 5 days , the cough and tired feeling can last for 2 weeks or more.

Influenza Pandemics

The flu virus changes continuously, which is one of the reasons people need a new immunization every year. Every 10 to 40 years, major changes occur in the flu virus. When this happens, worldwide pandemics occur, because the population does not have protection against the new flu strains. There were 3 influenza pandemics in the 20th century:

Public health officials are preparing response plans for the next pandemic, which could occur at any time, given the irregular and unpredictable nature of pandemics.

Complications

People 50 years of age and older, children ages 6-23 months, and individuals with chronic medical conditions such as asthma are at higher risk for flu-related complications. Children ages 0-23 months are at increased risk of being hospitalized if they get the flu. In fact, these children are hospitalized at a rate comparable to that of the elderly.

The most frequent complication is pneumonia. The flu can also worsen chronic bronchitis or other chronic disorders. Children and adolescents who take aspirin on a regular basis are at risk for Reye syndrome if they get influenza. Reye syndrome is a serious disease affecting all organs of the body, most seriously the liver and brain.

Influenza Immunization Recommendations

The best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu is by getting a flu shot every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu shots for the following groups of people:

In fact, a flu shot makes sense for anyone (6 months or older) who wants to avoid becoming ill with influenza. The best time to receive a flu shot is October and November, but people can continue to be vaccinated into December and later. Remember, you need a flu shot every year because protection lasts for only one season and it takes about two weeks for the protection to develop.

There are two types of vaccines - a nasal spray or the flu shot. Check with your doctor regarding which one is appropriate for you. BE AWARE - You cannot get the flu from the vaccine!

It is never too late to get your Flu Shot!

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Pneumonia Information

Pneumococcal Disease Overview

Pneumococcal disease causes widespread illness and a significant number of deaths in the United States each year. The elderly and young children are particularly at risk for death from pneumococcal disease. Specific illnesses associated with pneumococcal disease include pneumonia, bacteremia (blood infection), some ear infections, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the brain), sinus infection, abdominal infection, and arthritis.

Pneumonia is the most common complication among adults, and bacteremia is the most common among children under 2. Pneumococcal disease is spread from person to person by coughing or sneezing. Many healthy adults and children are carriers of pneumococcal bacteria, but they are not ill from it. Infections are common in the winter and early spring during the cold and influenza season.

Children with certain medical conditions, including sickle cell disease and HIV infection, are at very high risk for invasive disease.

Pneumonia

Symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia appear 1 to 3 days after exposure. Symptoms include fever and chills, chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heart rate, and weakness. Less common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and headache. Up to 175,000 people are hospitalized each year in the US because of pneumococcal pneumonia, and about 5% to 7% of patients die from pneumococcal pneumonia, mostly the elderly. Complications of pneumococcal pneumonia include lung problems, infection of the sac around the heart, and bronchial obstruction.

Bacteremia

Each year in the US there are more than 50,000 reported cases of pneumococcal bacteremia (blood infection), which commonly occurs with pneumococcal pneumonia. The elderly and very young infants have a higher risk of getting pneumococcal bacteremia than do other age groups. About 1 in 5 patients with bacteremia dies, but the elderly face even higher risks.

Meningitis

There are about 3,000 to 6,000 cases of pneumococcal meningitis in the US each year, and 1 in 4 of these patients also has pneumonia. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, vomiting, irritability, fever, stiff neck, seizures, and coma. Long-term complications of pneumococcal meningitis include hearing or mental impairment and seizures. About 30% of patients with pneumococcal meningitis die, but the rate of death among the elderly may be as high as 80%.

Children at risk

Children under the age of 5 are at high risk for contracting pneumococcal diseases, and each year about 200 children die as a result of pneumococcal disease. Additionally, an estimated 5 million cases of ear infection (caused by pneumococcus) occur each year among children in this age group.

Pneumococcal Immunization Recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine vaccination with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for children at 2, 4, 6, and 12-15 months of age. Adults 65 years of age and older should receive pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, which should also be given to persons 2 years of age and older with normal immune systems who have chronic illnesses such as heart or lung disorders or diabetes.

Have you had your pneumonia vaccine? Talk to your physician to make sure you are up to date.

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Adult Immunization Information

For more information, please refer to our Downloadable Brochure

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