How Much Do You Know About the Pneumonia Vaccine?
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be fatal. It is more common in the elderly, infants, young children, and some people with chronic health problems. A vaccine offers protection against some forms of pneumonia. Find out more about pneumonia and the vaccine by taking this quiz.
1. Pneumonia can be caused by viruses or bacteria.
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The most common bacteria to cause pneumonia are Streptococcus pneumoniae, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These bacteria are also called pneumococcal bacteria. This same kind of bacteria can also cause illness elsewhere in the body. If the bacteria enter the blood, they cause a serious illness called bacteremia. If they attack the brain, the illness is called meningitis.
2. You should get a pneumonia vaccine every year, just as you do for the flu.
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Usually one dose of pneumonia vaccine is all that is needed. This vaccine protects against pneumococcal pneumonia. The vaccine is recommended for all people older than 65, as well as young children and adults with certain chronic illnesses. The vaccine's protection usually lasts more than six years, the CDC says. Sometimes a booster may be needed five years after the first dose. This is true for people who were vaccinated before age 65.
3. If you've already had pneumonia, you don't need to get a vaccination.
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Experts recommend that all older adults get a pneumonia vaccination. This is true even if they have had pneumonia before. That's because there are many kinds of pneumonia. Having
one kind doesn't protect you against getting another kind.
4. Only people older than 65 should get this vaccine.
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All people older than 65 should get this vaccine. The CDC and other experts now recommend that other people also get this vaccine: children under age 2; children under age 5 with certain chronic illnesses; children ages 2 to 5 who are African American or American Indian, in group child care, have social or economic disadvantages, or have frequent ear infections; adults with chronic health conditions, including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes; adults with a weakened immune system or an autoimmune disease; adults with kidney disease or kidney transplant; adults with spleen problems; adults who are alcoholics; and adults living in long-term care facilities. Talk to your health care provider if you think you should get this vaccine.
5. The pneumonia shot can't cause pneumonia.
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That's because the vaccine is not made from whole bacteria. It is made from pieces that are not infectious. Side effects from the pneumonia shot are mild. These include some swelling and soreness at the site of the shot.
6. People 65 and older are two to three times more likely to get pneumococcal pneumonia.
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Up to 30 percent of those 65 and older who have pneumococcal pneumonia also develop bacteremia. Of those, 20 percent die from bacteremia (bacteria in the blood). This occurs even though they are given
antibiotics.
7. Pneumococcal pneumonia is more common in the winter.
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That's when other respiratory diseases like the common cold and the flu are also more common.
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