Do You Falls into Any of These Groups? Then You Need a Flu Shot ASAP!
At some point in your life, you must have come down with the flu. If you haven’t, you must be one very, very lucky individual, although that isn’t likely. All the same, you must admit that this medical condition isn’t fun at all. But is there any disease that is?
For this particular one though, the fever suddenly hits you, then chills, aches, and a sore throat follow. With these symptoms, you may be inclined to stay hidden under your duvet for ages. Fortunately for most people, two weeks are more than enough to battle the disease and come out victorious.
That Unlucky Cohort
Notice how we said most people? Well, there’s that group that isn’t that lucky. As the CDC reports, the flu in some individuals, especially those in high-risk populations, may develop into a particularly serious condition such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
Remember when Oprah Winfrey suffered from pneumonia? She admitted to the disease being no joke, urging everyone to take their flu shots. She has even planned a tour around the United States to create awareness on the disease.
As you may already know, anything that prompts such a reaction from Oprah must be quite serious. Before she embarks on her tour though, let’s delve into how you can identify a high-risk individual. After identification, the next step should be having them take their shots without question.
First off, anyone with a chronic disease falls squarely into this group. Chronic diseases include coronary diseases, diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and disorders of the liver, kidney, or blood.
Flu-related complications likely to affect them include the two previously mentioned ones, in addition to ear infections and sinusitis.
Additionally, people with a suppressed immune system are also not expected to survive the flu season unscathed. Diseases that weaken your immunity include leukemia and HIV/AIDS, and if you’re on medication such as chemo, you’re also very much at risk.
Deteriorating Immunity
As we age, our body’s immune system tends to deteriorate. As such, the CDC classifies individuals aged 50 and above to be a high-risk group for flu-related complications. Dr. Donna Casey, a medic based in Dallas, avers this, saying that the flu opens up the floodgates for bacterial infections in these individuals.
While adults aged over fifty have a deteriorating immune system, children aged below five have one that isn’t quite fully developed yet. As such, fighting serious infections becomes a daunting task, especially in children that are yet to hit the 2-year-old mark. According to the CDC, the flu in these kids may lead to encephalopathy, a serious brain infection.
The gestation period for any living thing is usually a trying time, and the case isn’t any different in human beings. The pregnant mom and her developing embryo could be as healthy as they can ever be, but pregnancy puts a strain on the mom’s immune system.
They are, therefore, at a higher risk of contracting the flu, and if they do, treating and managing it may not be a piece of cake. The country’s Pregnancy Association states that the complications that follow may lead to low birth weight, premature birth, or even a miscarriage.
More in Medical Conditions
-
Thyroid Disorders in Children: What Parents Need to Know
Thyroid disorders are not limited to adults; they can also affect children. The thyroid gland produces hormones that play a crucial...
April 29, 2023 -
Should Doctors Attend To Patients With ‘Do Not Resuscitate Tattoos’?
Doctors at the University of Miami hospital were confronted with a dilemma when a 70-year-old unconscious man with a tattoo “do...
April 3, 2023 -
Your Antidepressant May Not Work If You Keep Doing This One Thing
People use social comparison to measure their self-worth. Social comparison has been in existence since time immemorial, and it is as...
April 1, 2023 -
Pro Tips on Preventing Hair Breakage While Keeping Your Hair Moisturized at Home
Every one of us is thinking a lot about how to forestall hair breakage and keep them moisturized at home. Since...
March 22, 2023 -
Planning to Travel After Retirement? This is the Best Medicare Coverage for You
Does Medicare insurance go with you once you are out of the country? It’s currently open enrollment period, and while planning...
March 14, 2023 -
Lumeris, A Medical Insurance Provider, Expands Into 5 New States & 44 Counties
Lumeris is one of the leading insurance providers in the United States. For years, the Saint Louis, Missouri-based firm has been...
November 8, 2022 -
Prince Harry Shares The ‘Immense’ Difference in How Therapy Is Viewed In U.S. vs. the U.K
Harry grew up in one of the most famous families in the world. He also dealt with his mother’s death at a...
October 25, 2022 -
What Everyone Ought To Know About Parkinson’s Disease?
When it comes to chronic diseases, here is the sad part: they can not be diagnosed. If they can be diagnosed,...
October 24, 2022 -
How To Help Your Children Deal With Anxiety
Anxiety is quite common for adults, but a lot of people are unaware that it can also be found in children....
September 12, 2022
You must be logged in to post a comment Login