Watch your lung health

I’m not sure why, but this winter, what we’ve actually had of it, has put more of my friends and people I know down with pneumonia than any other past years. Some have been hospitalized, some allowed to heal at home. Pnuemonia is nothing to scoff at and seems to come from nowhere, but if you’ve been fluish and can’t seem to shake the associated cold/cough I suggest you get checked. One friend had a cold one day and was laid flat with this crap the next.

Me too…

It wasn’t a fun ride but it’s in my rearview mirror now.

I believe the major surgery I had in October might have reduced my body’s ability to fend it off as I lost quite a bit of blood but not enough for transfusion so they decided to let me ride and let my body build it back up. And of course I may have or may not have listened to my doctor about taking it easy for 3 months and reduce my time outdoors, ect…. I’m 47 so I still have that bulletproof attitude about doc’s orders so I may have to fix that going forward.

Been a bad year for pneumonia. Good to hear that you’re on the mend.

I’m no spring chicken and I still have a hard time listening to the docs.

Happened to my husband. High fever for over 8 day’s and absolutely no other symptoms. He finally went to urgent care because he’s diabetic and I pressured him. 3/4 of one lung was full. Bacterial pneumonia. They couldn’t believe he didn’t have back and chest pain, much less difficulty breathing, but he didn’t. It took 3 weeks on antibiotics to get it cleared up.

Went through the pneumonia thing 2 winters ago. Bad stuff. Just got over 1 lung full and got it in the other. Screwed up 4 weekends of no fishing.

I’ve had pneumonia 3 times. All in my youth. In fact, just a couple months old I had to live in a tent at the hospital.

I know, that explains a lot.

You guy’s sure it’s not the vi-queenie blues???

I’ve had pneumonia twice and walking pneumonia once. I had a pneumonia shot after my third bout and haven’t had even a bad cold since.

When I went to the VA for my annual last year my doc said I should get the new pneumonia shot, Prevnar 13. He said it is even better than the original shot.

I got my first one when I was 55. It has been well worth it.

Michelle got a pneumonia shot this year. Good thing because she’s dealing with a bronchial or lung infection right now.

I got my initial shot at 59 and never regretted it. I’m more prone to sinus issues than pneumonia but I have also had a couple rounds with it. Mine two bouts started with a sinus infection. With my lungs going downhill now my doc has suggested the Prevnar 13 and am going to get it soon.

Any of the pneumonia-type injections help prevent a lot of different illnesses well beyond the scope of pneumonia, so the injections are beneficial but especially so for people with lung related issues.

Tom I have had both pneumonia shots and they do seem to help. One is called Pneum-23 and the other is called PCV-13. There is a waiting period between getting both of them. If memory serves me it is one year.

muskietim,

What’s the difference between the two shots?

I’m well past the down time and just need to make the appointment.

Didn’t know this till a web search but, sounds like the basic difference is that PCV-13 protects against 13 strains of pneumonia and the Pneum-23 protects against an additional 23 strains. As with any medical recommendations there are numerous reason and age restrictions on who can get the vaccines.

For more information here is the CDC website link
http://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/vaccination.html

Thanks for the info and the link.