(StatePoint) Pneumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious bacterial lung disease that can be life-threatening, and contracted any time of year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pneumococcal pneumonia causes 150,000 annual hospitalizations nationwide. To help reduce the burden of this lung disease, the American Lung Association is sharing important facts about pneumococcal pneumonia for adults 65 or older, and adults ages 19 to 64 with certain underlying health conditions. Here’s what to know:
What is pneumococcal pneumonia? Many people think pneumococcal pneumonia is a cold or the flu, but it’s not. It is caused by bacteria that live in the upper respiratory tract, and can spread to others through coughing or close contact. Common symptoms include high fever, excessive sweating, shaking chills, coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and chest pain, and can appear quickly and without warning.
Who is at risk? Those ages 19 or older with certain medical conditions such as asthma, COPD, chronic heart disease or diabetes, and adults who smoke cigarettes are at a higher risk. Even healthy adults 65 and older are at increased risk because the body’s immune system naturally weakens with age. Visit www.Lung.org/pneumococcal for a two-minute quiz to determine your risk.
How can you help prevent pneumococcal pneumonia? The CDC recommends pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination for adults 19 or older with certain underlying medical conditions, and for adults 65 or older. Unlike the flu shot, you don’t need pneumococcal vaccination every year. Your health care provider can help you determine when you should be vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia. Infection can strike anytime, anywhere, and in any season, so now is the time to talk to a health care provider about pneumococcal vaccination.
