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Although the topic of vaccination against COVID-19 dominates in the media today, we should not forget about other viral and bacterial diseases with an equally severe course and possible complications. Every adult should consider getting vaccinated against whooping cough, flu, and pneumococcus. Why is it worth it?
Vaccinations for adults as important as for children
In Poland, compulsory and free vaccinations are carried out until the age of 19. Therefore, an adult Pole often forgets about the possibility of such prophylaxis in the coming years. However, there is a whole list of recommended immunizations for adults, including whooping cough, flu, and pneumococcus. Why is it worth protecting yourself against these diseases? What is their course, infection statistics and complications?
- The first symptoms resemble a cold. Even doctors know about time
Vaccinations for whooping cough
Whooping cough (or whooping cough) is most often associated with childhood disease. And according to statistics, more than half of the cases concern people over the age of 15. Every year in Poland there are from several hundred to several thousand cases of sickness, and almost 30 percent. of them require hospitalization. Despite the fact that the peak incidence falls on the period up to 4 years of age, still a large percentage occurs in patients over the age of 6. In seniors whooping cough can pass in a very unusual way, which is why the diagnosis of this disease in old age is much more difficult. Therefore, it is believed that the actual number of cases in old age may be much higher than reported in the source data.
Bacteria (Bordetella pertussis) are responsible for the development of whooping cough, an acute infectious respiratory disease. Infection occurs through droplets when talking, sneezing and coughing. By penetrating the human body, the bacterium begins to produce pertussis toxin. Flu-like symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat may appear during the first weeks after infection. Over time, however, the patient may experience bouts of troublesome coughing from the so-called in a loud breath. In some cases, vomiting and apnea also appear. Infants are at risk of developing encephalopathy and seizures, and adults are at risk of developing pneumonia and fractures of the ribs. As many as 40 percent. in seniors over 60 years of age suffering from whooping cough, complications in the form of urinary incontinence, hernia, pneumonia and rib fractures are observed.
The best method of prophylaxis against whooping cough is immunization. The vaccine is given to adults as a single injection against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP). It is worth remembering, however, that completing the immunization schedule in infants and administering booster doses at 6 and 14 years of age (or in children and adolescents) does not result in lifelong immunity. In adulthood, it is necessary to repeat the dose every 10 years.
Vaccinations against pneumococci
Pneumococcal infection is a concern mainly among parents of nursery-attending children. The most vulnerable to this bacterial infection are babies up to 2 years of age, but also seniors over 65 years of age. Currently, about 90 types of pneumococci have been known, and some of them are resistant to antibiotics. In the elderly, pneumococci can cause a number of serious infections, including pneumonia, sinusitis and middle ear inflammation. In more serious cases, meningitis and sepsis may even develop.
According to statistics, about 1000 people are infected with the invasive form every year in Poland. The number of cases of the non-invasive form remains unknown. Nevertheless, it is estimated that as many as several thousand patients can develop pneumococcal pneumonia, and several dozen thousand – pneumococcal otitis media.
Vaccination against pneumococci is obligatory and free in children from 2 months of age. life. In adults (over 19 years of age), the vaccine is recommended and for a fee. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccine. The first, conjugated, contains purified capsular polysaccharides of the serotypes of these bacteria. Its administration protects against sepsis, pneumonia, ear infections, meningitis and bacteraemia. It includes from 1 to 4 doses. The second, polysaccharide, has a larger number of purified polysaccharides and is mainly used in adults. It is recommended for people with chronic diseases of the circulatory, respiratory and immune systems.
Flu vaccinations
Flu vaccinations are very popular among adults. During the epidemic season in Poland, there are from several hundred thousand to several million cases. The peak period is usually between January and March. Influenza is an acute, infectious disease that is transmitted through airborne droplets. Symptoms develop relatively quickly from 1 to 4 days after infection. Influenza virus causes, inter alia, cough, runny nose, sore throat, high fever, headache and muscle and joint pain. In young people, flu is relatively rarely serious, but it becomes dangerous in seniors. Common complications include inflammation of the heart muscle, pericardium, lung and bronchitis, and even neurological disorders.
Influenza vaccines contain inactivated influenza virus particles or their surface proteins. There are also live intranasal vaccines on the market. It is worth repeating them every year because they will reduce the risk of disease by 40-70%. and protect against serious complications. They are completely safe and are distinguished by a small number of undesirable post-vaccination symptoms.
Read also:
- Five diseases that can be confused with COVID-19
- Why do some people get COVID-19 like the common cold even though they haven’t been vaccinated?
- What diseases can a runny nose herald? You cannot heal all of them yourself at home
Summation
Preventive vaccinations in adulthood are an indispensable element of taking care of your health, along with healthy eating and regular physical activity. Both the course and complications following influenza, whooping cough and pneumococcal infection can turn out to be extremely severe, especially in children and the elderly. By entering these disease entities in your vaccination calendar, you protect your health and life and that of your loved ones.