During the COVID-19 outbreak, have you taken all the necessary precautions to protect your lungs?
#DidYouForgetAnything? You can forget anything… just don’t forget “pneumonia” vaccination!!!!!
The “Pneumonia” vaccination is recommended by the World Health Organization during the COVID-19 pandemic (1).
Particularly individuals at risk of “pneumonia” from “pneumococcus.
- Risk with age: Those aged 50 and above (2)
- Risk with pre-existing conditions (3): Those with the following pre-existing conditions: Asthma, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Liver Disease, Kidney Disease, Lung Disease, and Cancer
- Risk with behaviours (3): Those with risky behaviour such as smoking or chronic alcohol abuse
Patients with pneumococcal pneumonia typically experience symptoms such as headache, sore throat, high fever, chills, panting, difficulty breathing, and coughing with phlegm. These symptoms can be contagious and spread to others through coughing and sneezing.
The Severity of "Pneumonia" caused by Pneumococcus
(5) Elderly patients may need to stay in the hospital for up to 12 days, possibly using a ventilator or
recuperating in the ICU for up to 10 days. (6) Unfortunately, there is a chance of infection in the blood stream, leading to a 23% chance of death. Why risk it when it can be prevented through vaccines?
“Pneumonia” caused by Pneumococcus can be prevented by
practicing good hygiene to help prevent the spread of disease, such as washing your hands and wearing a hygienic mask. Additionally, it is important to avoid crowded communities to further reduce the risk of infection. For those who are immunocompromised and at elevated risk, there may be different vaccination recommendations than the general population. In order to protect against 13 different strains of conjugate vaccine, it is recommended to get the vaccine in 1-year intervals, followed by a polysaccharide vaccine (7). Before getting vaccinated, it is important to consult with your doctor.
Have you taken steps to protect your lungs from the COVID-19 virus?
#DidYouForgetAnything?
Pneumonia is caused by more than just COVID-19; other common causes of pneumonia in adults include pneumococcus bacteria. This species of bacteria normally lives in the nasal and throat cavity, but when
the body is weakened by a virus infection, the chances of pneumococcus spreading to the lungs and causing pneumonia increases. Pneumococcal infection can be found in both COVID-19 and influenza.
#TheWorldHealthOrganizationRecommends PneumococcalAndInfluenzaVaccines, as well as the COVID-19 vaccine, during the COVID-19 crisis (6).
Vaccination advice for people with normal immunity (7)
- Pneumococcal vaccine: Administer 13-strain conjugate vaccine first, spaced 1 year apart then vaccinated with polysaccharide type
- Influenza Vaccine: 1 dose per year
- Pneumococcal and influenza vaccines can be administered on the same day (8).
For immunocompromised patients who are at substantial risk, vaccination recommendations may differ from those for the general population. It is important to consult with a doctor before getting vaccinated in order to ensure that the vaccine is safe and effective for you.
If there is an upcoming appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination, can you also be vaccinated for pneumonia or influenza?
- Yes, but the pneumococcal or influenza vaccine should be administered at least 2-4 weeks prior to the scheduled date of the COVID vaccination (9).
If you have already been vaccinated against COVID-19, can you get the pneumococcal or influenza vaccination?
- Yes, these 2 vaccines can be administered 2-4 weeks after the COVID vaccine (9).
Lessen confusion! Contain the spread of infection!
Complete Immunity during the COVID-19 Crisis
2 Infections similar to COVID that should not be overlooked. #WasIInfectedYet
Both pneumococcus and influenza are known to cause similar symptoms to COVID-19, such as fever, cough, panting, difficulty breathing, and in some cases, pneumonia. The same high-risk group is vulnerable to infection from both of these illnesses.
- Elderly
- Individuals with congenital disease such as heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, cancer
Don’t let our loved ones be at risk of an illness that can be prevented by vaccination.
Pneumococcal pneumonia, COVID-19, and Influenza,
is it possible to be infected by more than one at the same time?
Protect yourself with pneumococcal vaccine and prevent COVID-19 infection
Pneumococcus, which is the main cause of pneumonia, can be infected with both COVID-19 and influenza during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Is Pneumococcal Pneumonia Severe?
COVID causes severe pneumonia and so does pneumococcus.
Pneumococcal pneumonia is a serious illness that is typically seen in the elderly and those with existing medical conditions. Symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. It cannot be treated at home like a simple cold, and requires medical attention.
The high death rate associated with hospital stays can be attributed to the use of ventilators, sleeping in the ICU, and contracting bloodstream infections. These issues can arise from having to stay in the hospital for treatment for a week.
