How important is it to get vaccinated?

Prevention is better than Cure! 

Well sure, but in today’s times Vaccination is the key to prevention. It is an important step in protecting adults against deadly diseases. Some people believe that once they are vaccinated at a younger age, they do not need to be vaccinated again but that is a myth. The effect of the vaccine can wear off or the resistance is not that strong after a point of time.

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The common flu which has become very common in today’s times is at a greater risk if a person suffers from heart disease, lung disease or diabetes. As we are aware that Delhi has become the Diabetic capital of the World.

It is common to confuse flu with a bad cold. Flu and cold symptoms may include a runny/blocked nose, sore throat, and cough. 

Below are some flu symptoms that are different from heavy cold symptoms:

• High temperature
• Cold sweats, shivers
• Headache
• Aching joints and limbs
• Fatigue, feeling exhausted
• Gastro-intestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (much more common among children than adults)

Heart Disease

People with a history of heart disease or who have a stroke are at a serious risk of a medical complication such as worsening of their persistent heart disease. The risk of people with a heart disease is three times worse when they suffer from the flu virus.

It is however recommended by the CDC that persons suffering from a heart disease need to get a yearly influenza (flu) vaccine every single year. A pneumococcal vaccine is also recommended for the age below 65 years.

Lung Disease

Similarly, for persons suffering from asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), Bronchitis, etc. have a higher risk at stake when suffering from influenza (Flu) even if the flu is mild. Because of the lung disease, the airway of a person becomes very sensitive and even the most minor inflammation from the flu can cause adverse effects.

Those with asthma, COPD, or other conditions that affect the lungs are more likely to develop pneumonia and other respiratory diseases after getting sick with the flu than those without these conditions.

It is however recommended by the CDC that persons suffering from a lung disease such as asthma or COPD, needs to get a yearly influenza (flu) vaccine every single year. A pneumococcal vaccine is also recommended for the age below 65 years.

Diabetes

People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are prone to a high risk of hepatitis B. It can be infectious and can spread like wild fire on sharing of blood glucose meters, finger stick devices or insulin pens. This viral infection can weaken the immune system greatly which makes it very difficult to fight the flu.It can even lead to pneumonia and severe hospitalization.

Pneumococcal vaccine is recommended by the CDC for an adult below the age of 65 years along with a yearly influenza vaccine and a hepatitis B vaccine series for the age groups between 19 to 59 years. If you are 60 years or older, talk to your doctor to see if you should get hepatitis B vaccine.