Everything you need to know about Pneumonia and getting the vaccine!
As temperatures begin to drop, more and more people find themselves battling what they think are nasty colds and Flu. However, a lot of the time they are in fact fighting off a case of Pneumonia. And while there is no apparent ‘pneumonia season,’ the disease is more prevalent in winter. The good news is you can now get your Pneumonia Vaccine in Manchester by visiting Beech Road Pharmacy!
The pneumonia vaccine is not an annual vaccine like the flu jab. Most people need just a single one-off vaccination or a vaccination every 5 years. While this is the case, we believe that it is vitally important that we get our Pneumonia Vaccines this Winter – here’s why…
Pneumonia is an illness that can be life-threatening; infecting the lungs and destroying the respiratory system. The infection causes the lungs’ air sacs (alveoli) to become inflamed and fill up with fluid or pus, making it hard for the oxygen you breathe in to get into your bloodstream. It can affect people of any age, but it’s more common, and can be more serious, in certain groups of people, such as the very young or the elderly, those with long term conditions such as diabetes and those with a weakened immune system.
As the world battles the Coronavirus pandemic, we need to protect ourselves and each other against this invisible killer. Those who are vulnerable need to protect themselves as much as possible with the Pneumonia Vaccine this winter!
So, what are the main causes of Pneumonia?
There are many causes of pneumonia, the most common are:
– Bacterial Pneumonia – This type is caused by various different bacteria, the most common is Streptococcus Pneumoniae and it usually occurs when the immune system is weakened be it through poor nutrition and diet, illness, or old age. A weakened immune system allows the bacteria to work its way to the lungs.
– Viral Pneumonia – This is caused by viruses that we may be exposed to such as Influenza (the Flu) and is responsible for over a third of pneumonia cases.
– Mycoplasma Pneumonia – With different symptoms and physical signs, this type is generally widespread causing mild symptoms. Known as atypical pneumonia.
What are the symptoms of Pneumonia?
Pneumonia symptoms can develop suddenly over 24 to 48 hours, or they can come on more slowly over several days.
According to the NHS common symptoms are:
A cough: which may be dry, or produce think yellow, green, brown, or blood-stained mucus (phlegm)
– Difficulty breathing: your breathing may be rapid and shallow, and you may feel breathless, even when resting
– Rapid heartbeat
– Feeling generally unwell
– Sweating and shivering
– Loss of appetite
– Chest pain: which gets worse when breathing or coughing
Less common symptoms include:
– Coughing up blood
– Headaches
– Fatigue
– Feeling sick or being sick
– Wheezing
– Joint or muscle pain
– Feeling confused and disorientated, particularly in elderly people
Who can have the Pneumonia vaccine?
At Beech Road Pharmacy we can offer the private pneumococcal vaccination for anyone over the age of 18.
How does the Vaccine work?
Both types of pneumococcal vaccines encourage our body to produce antibodies against pneumococcal bacteria, these antibodies destroy disease-carrying organisms and toxins, protecting us from becoming ill if we are infected with the bacteria.
There are more than 90 different strains of the pneumococcal bacterium, although most of these strains do not cause serious infections.
The childhood vaccine (PCV) protects against 13 strains of the pneumococcal bacterium, while the adult vaccine (PPV) protects against 23 strains. Children respond exceptionally well to the PCV, with the introduction of this vaccine into the NHS childhood vaccination programme resulting in a large reduction in pneumococcal disease.
The PPV vaccine is thought to be around 50 to 70% effective at preventing pneumococcal disease. Both the PPV and the PCV are inactivated or “killed” vaccines and do not contain any live organisms. They cannot cause the disease they protect against.
How much does the Pneumonia vaccine cost?
At Beech Road Pharmacy we have two options available, one for £35 or one for £70.
– Pneumovax 23 is priced at £35 which is usually given to those over 65 who have a long-term health condition such as asthma, COPD, or diabetes.
– Prevenar 13 is priced at £70 which is usually given to those under 65 who aren’t living with a long-term condition.
Our pharmacist will ensure you receive the most appropriate vaccine for you at your appointment.
Get your Pneumonia Vaccine in Manchester by booking an appointment with Beech Road Pharmacy today!
Simply contact us!