If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet this year, don’t wait much longer—influenza (flu) season is just around the corner. Yearly flu shots are recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older. If you need some added incentive, consider this: The influenza virus can cause not only the typical flu symptoms (like fever, muscle aches, and headache), but it can cause viral pneumonia in some people and nudge others to develop bacterial pneumonia. And despite many advances in understanding the causes and treatment of this serious lung infection.
Flu Shots- Will it help with Pneumonia?
The symptoms of pneumonia are similar to the flu. But with pneumonia, your cough is usually worse and you may have trouble breathing. However, the symptoms can be subtler in the very young and the elderly the two groups most vulnerable to pneumonia. Babies and young children with the infection may be restless, fussy, and breath too fast. Older people with pneumonia sometimes don’t have a fever or a cough, but they may be confused or complain of pain when taking a deep breath. However, pneumonia and flu similarly show the same types of symptoms by testing and close observation these two can be identified easily.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
The flu is an infection of the respiratory system caused by influenza viruses. Although similar to a cold, it can be much more severe, especially in younger children, seniors and people suffering from certain medical conditions, such as chronic respiratory diseases, kidney disease, and diabetes. As with a cold, the flu is spread through droplets from sneezes and coughs. Symptoms usually appear 2 to 3 days after contact but can take up to 7 days to show up. Typical flu
symptoms can include the following:
- Fever – Temperature can be noticeably high in children at the beginning of influenza
infection and usually lasts 2 to 3 days. Fever is uncommon in adults.
- Flushed face
- Severe muscle and body aches
- Shortness of breath
- Severe and lingering fatigue – This lack of energy can last for weeks.
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea – are common, especially in children
- Severe headache
- Cold-like respiratory symptoms – These occur later in the illness and include head,
- congestion, sore throat, and dry hacking cough.
Flu shots –
Annual flu shots can reduce the chances of getting many flu viruses and are highly
recommended for people who have a higher risk of catching the flu. Young children and people over 65 years can benefit greatly from flu shots. In addition, people who have medical conditions and have weakened immune systems should have flu shots. Certain jobs put people at a higher risk of coming in contact with flu viruses such as health care workers, nursing home employees, and even teachers. These people should consider getting flu shots. Your doctor can answer any questions you have regarding flu shots.
“……There is one way and it’s to stop transmission. If the virus is not reproducing itself, we wouldn’t see nearly the same level of mutational changes…
Get yourself covered by getting yourself the FLU SHOT everyone’s talking about…”