There are many diseases and infections that can put you and your family at risk if you aren’t careful and don’t get properly vaccinated. Pneumonia is a common one, with more than 3 million cases a year reported in the United States. Pneumonia can be a dangerous infection that causes inflammation in one or both of your lungs, in which fluid enters and fills them. It can cause chest pain, serious coughing containing phlegm, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, high fever, and other health problems. It is recommended that you see a doctor to get tested for Pneumonia if you continuously experience one or more of these symptoms.
It is possible to contract a mild case, or a very serious and life-threatening case of pneumonia, so getting the vaccination is the best way to avoid any contraction of this illness. Make a visit to Scotch Plains Medical Center in Scotch Plains, New Jersey for a pneumonia vaccination if you fall under any of these categories:
1. You are Over the Age of 65
Your immune system doesn’t work as well as it used to as you grow older. This will cause you to have trouble fighting off certain infections and illnesses such as pneumonia, so get the vaccination at our clinic.
2. You Have a Weakened Immune System
If you have a disease such heart disease, asthma, HIV or AIDS, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or emphysema, your immune system is more likely to be weaker. It will also be weak if you have recently gotten an organ transplant or chemotherapy. Getting a pneumonia vaccine will protect you from contacting this illness.
3. You are a Smoker
Pneumonia and smoking have something in common: they both hurt your lungs. If you’re a smoker, your lungs may have trouble filtering out germs, so visit Scotch Plains medical center to get your vaccine for Pneumonia today.
4. You are a Heavy Drinker
Drinking heavily can also weaken your immune system, making it difficult for your body’s white blood cells to fight off pneumonia once you’ve contacted it, so it is important to get the vaccine to prevent more damage.
5. You Have Recently Gotten Surgery
After getting surgery or recovering from an injury, your immune system will be weaker and have trouble fighting off pneumonia, so visit Scotch Plains Medical Center to receive a vaccination.
6. You are Getting Over a Severe Illness
Your immune system will also become weaker when your body has been trying to get over a severe illness, and you are especially at higher risk of contracting pneumonia if you have needed help breathing on a ventilator.
Don’t Be at Risk for Pneumonia; Get Vaccinated
Pneumonia can be a serious illness. It could become life threatening or be a simple fix. Regardless, you shouldn’t have to be at risk for it. At Scotch Plains Medical Center in New Jersey, we offer many vaccinations including flu, MMR, hepatitis A and B, pneumonia, and tdap performed by our exceptional healthcare specialists. Your safety is our pride here, so know you’re in good hands when coming to our clinic.