How Much Do You Know About the Pneumonia Vaccine?
Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that is more common in older adults, infants, young children, and some people with chronic health problems. Two vaccines offer protection against pneumococcal pneumonia. Find out more about pneumonia and the vaccines by taking this quiz, based on information from the CDC.
1. Pneumonia can be caused by viruses or bacteria.
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Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs from an infection. The most common causes are bacteria, viruses, and fungi. A bacterium called Streptococcus pneumoniae is responsible for the most common form of pneumonia (pneumococcal pneumonia). It can also cause infections in the blood and the brain.
2. You should get pneumonia vaccines every year, just as you do for the flu.
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Usually 1 dose of the 2 pneumonia vaccines is all that is needed. These vaccines protect against pneumococcal pneumonia. Sometimes you may need a booster for 1 of the vaccines.
3. If you've already had pneumonia, you don't need to get a vaccine.
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Experts recommend that all older adults get the pneumonia vaccines. This is true even if they have had pneumonia before. That's because there are many types (strains) of pneumonia. Having 1 type doesn't protect you against getting another type.
4. Only people older than 65 should get these vaccines.
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People ages 65 and older should have the vaccines against pneumonia, but anyone between ages 2 and 64 who has certain chronic health problems should also be vaccinated. These problems include heart disease, lung disease, sickle cell disease, and diabetes. People with a weakened immune system should be vaccinated, too. Talk with your health care provider if you believe you might be at risk.
5. The pneumonia shots can't cause pneumonia.
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That's because the vaccines are not made from whole bacteria. They are made from parts that are not infectious. Side effects from the pneumonia shots are mild. These include some swelling and soreness at the site of the shot.
6. People 65 and older are 2 to 3 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, a bacterial infection of the blood. Of those, 20 percent will die. 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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