Pneumococcal Disease & What You Should Know

Now that is it mid-January, we are deep in the trenches of the cold winter season, and with it the height of cold and flu season. Scientists now know that our immune systems are weaker when the weather is cold outside. For persons with chronic medical conditions, receiving the proper vaccinations is especially important to help maintain optimal health.

Hopefully, if you are a senior or a person in another high-risk category, you received your flu immunization in the fall. If not, it’s not too late to contact your healthcare provider to receive the vaccine and learn about additional preventative measures to stay healthy. At Evergreen Senior Living, we are committed to providing our residents with the highest quality care by keeping them abreast of medical news and recommendations.

While influenza is most top of mind right now, there are other illnesses that seniors should be aware of and protected against, like pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by a bacteria, and can be the culprit for many types of illnesses, from minor ear infections to the more dangerous meningitis and infections of the blood. When the bacteria from pneumococcal disease invade the lungs, pneumonia can develop. This can be very dangerous for seniors who already have a weakened immune system.

Pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common serious form of pneumococcal disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control. 900,000 Americans get this disease each year, and 5-7% of those persons die from complications. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be very grave for high-risk persons, so the marriage of the pneumococcal bacterium with the pneumonia infection can be quite serious.

Symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia include chest pain, rapid breathing, shaking chills, fever and cough. As many of these symptoms can be mistaken for side effects from other conditions, it is important to be highly aware of any activity that may signal pneumococcal pneumonia. Additional signs for the disease in elderly persons may present as confusion or lethary. Complications that arise from pneumococcal pneumonia can greatly affect the lungs and heart, by infecting and inflaming the space around these vital organs. For seniors who already have weakened immune systems due to chronic conditions like COPD or heart failure, any signs or symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia should be immediately addressed.

Seniors over age 65 should talk to their doctor or healthcare provider about receiving the vaccine for pneumococcal disease. It is a two-part shot; Medicare Part B covers both shots, which are typically a year apart. It is recommended that anyone over the age of 65 receive the pneumococcal vaccine. You can receive this immunization at the same time as you are inoculated for influenza. The pneumococcal vaccine protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria.

If you have questions about the pneumococcal disease vaccine or any other kind of recommended immunizations, we welcome you to speak with the Wellness Team at your Evergreen Senior Living community. The caregiving team can answer your questions and make recommendations for your care.