Sutter Walk-In Care makes it fast and easy to get a pneumonia vaccine – just stop by one of our locations and get vaccinated today.
Why Get a Pneumonia Vaccination?
Pneumonia is a lung disease that can be caused by bacteria or a virus, and may have serious complications, including death. Some forms of pneumonia – such as Pneumococcal pneumonia – are contagious.
The disease spreads through droplets from coughing or sneezing and is more prevalent in the winter. Although antibiotic treatments are available for pneumonia, being vaccinated is the best way to reduce your chances of getting pneumonia in the first place.
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
Anyone who is at high risk of getting pneumonia should be vaccinated. That includes:
- Children 2 years old and younger
- Young children with chronic illnesses or in group child care
- Anyone who has frequent ear infections
- Anyone with asthma, bronchitis or COPD
- Anyone who was recently in a hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU), especially if you used a ventilator
- Adults with chronic health problems including diabetes, heart conditions, kidney disease, lung disease or a weakened immune system
- Adults 65 years old and older, especially if they live in long-term care facilities
The pneumonia vaccine’s protection starts to fade over time. Experts recommend adults get a pneumonia booster shot five years after initially getting the vaccine, especially if your first vaccination was before you were 65 years old.
How Do I Know if I Have Pneumonia?
Depending on age and overall health before becoming infected, pneumonia symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. Pneumonia symptoms are often similar to cold or flu symptoms but they last much longer.
You may have pneumonia if you have the following symptoms:
- Chest pain when you breathe or cough
- Cough (with or without phlegm)
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever with sweating and shaking chills
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Vomiting
Some people who think they have a cold may have walking pneumonia – a nickname for a form of pneumonia that is very mild. Walking pneumonia is so mild, people don’t know they have it and walk around with it because they don’t feel like they need bed rest.