Overlooked Medical Precaution for Middle Aged ?
Some Chinese autopsies of Covid-19 victims showed that they had both Covid pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia. Obviously, having two types of pneumonia could be deadly !
There is no vaccine for Covid-19, and unlikely to be one available this year. But there are two vaccines for bacterial pneumonia. Prevnar 13 that protects against 13 strains (and typically provokes a stronger immune response) and Pneumovax 23 that protects against 23 strains of bacteria.
Due to the different ways the two vaccines work, one can take Prevnar 13 first and Pneumovax 23 three months later. Do the opposite order, and you have to wait a year to get Prevnar 13.
Up until 2019, both vaccines were recommended for people 65 and older or with special circumstances. It will depend upon your physician, but potential exposure to Covid in later middle age may qualify as a special circumstance. Insurance may, or may not, pay for these vaccinations.
We know that the impact of Covid is heavily age dependent. See my "Covid and Age" article on this blog.
I AM NOT A PHYSICIAN but I have read more of the literature than most MDs. If I was personally age 55 or older, and in good health, I would ask my physician for Prevnar 13 during my next visit because of Covid. Then Pneumovax 23 three months later. If I was between age 50 and 55, I am not sure unless I had an underlying health condition (diabetes for example).
In my own life, I got Prevnar 13 at age 60 and Pneumovax four months later. I was caring for my elderly father then and that constituted a special condition.
Something to discuss with your doctor during your next visit.
Also, make sure you get a digital thermometer, or the one you have works.
There is no vaccine for Covid-19, and unlikely to be one available this year. But there are two vaccines for bacterial pneumonia. Prevnar 13 that protects against 13 strains (and typically provokes a stronger immune response) and Pneumovax 23 that protects against 23 strains of bacteria.
Due to the different ways the two vaccines work, one can take Prevnar 13 first and Pneumovax 23 three months later. Do the opposite order, and you have to wait a year to get Prevnar 13.
Up until 2019, both vaccines were recommended for people 65 and older or with special circumstances. It will depend upon your physician, but potential exposure to Covid in later middle age may qualify as a special circumstance. Insurance may, or may not, pay for these vaccinations.
We know that the impact of Covid is heavily age dependent. See my "Covid and Age" article on this blog.
I AM NOT A PHYSICIAN but I have read more of the literature than most MDs. If I was personally age 55 or older, and in good health, I would ask my physician for Prevnar 13 during my next visit because of Covid. Then Pneumovax 23 three months later. If I was between age 50 and 55, I am not sure unless I had an underlying health condition (diabetes for example).
In my own life, I got Prevnar 13 at age 60 and Pneumovax four months later. I was caring for my elderly father then and that constituted a special condition.
Something to discuss with your doctor during your next visit.
Also, make sure you get a digital thermometer, or the one you have works.
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