It's Autumn: Do You Know Where Your Flu Shot Is Coming From?

In my area of the world, leaves are beginning to drop from branches and litter the ground, the air is noticeably cooler after the sun goes down and sandals and tank tops are pushed into the back of the closet in favor of socks and sweatshirts. Must be autumn...

As the fall season overtakes us, it is time to start thinking about preventing winter viruses, including the flu and pneumonia. These respiratory infections can be irritating and misery-inducing to most of the world, but to people with chronic respiratory disease like COPD and asthma, the influenza and pneumonia can be deadly.

So, preventing them is a crucial part of your treatment plan. Getting a vaccine is the easiest way to prevent the flu and pneumonia from striking you this year.

Seasonal Flu Shots

This year, we're dealing with two different types of flu shots -- the usual seasonal kind and also swine flu, now being referred to as H1N1 flu virus. While the combined effect of both can be severe, it is actually the seasonal flu that presents the most risk for older adults with COPD. H1N1 flu poses a greater risk to children and young adults.

Everyone who has COPD (or is caregiver for someone with COPD) should receive a seasonal flu shot this year, as soon as possible. You cannot get the flu from a flu shot because it is made from killed virus. Getting the shot might be a little uncomfortable at the time or for a day or two afterwards, but not getting the flu makes is worthwhile to endure a little discomfort.

Swine Flu (H1N1) Shots

You can read this article by our expert, Dr. James Thompson, to get the details about H1N1 flu and flu shots.

But what you need to know is that people aged 25 to 64 who have a chronic medical condition should definitely get the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available, in addition to the seasonal flu vaccine. They are two different shots and are not combined into one syringe. Also, seasonal flu shots will likely be available sooner than the H1N1 flu shots, which are scheduled to be widely available in the U.S. by mid-October.

If you are older than 64, then check with your doctor about whether you need to get an H1N1 flu shot. It's probably still a good idea, but your risk of developing H1N1 is lower than the other age groups, even if you have COPD. Still, if vaccine remains available once the high risk groups have all been immunized, you may be eligible.

Pneumonia Vaccination

Pneumonia is yet another respiratory viral illness that threatens the health of people with COPD each year. So, experts generally recommend that COPD'ers get a pneumonia shot periodically. The good news is, pneumonia vaccines last longer than flu vaccines, so you only have to get a new one every 5 to 10 years (check with your doctor on timing).

Pneumonia and seasonal flu can be an extremely serious combination for someone with already compromised lungs like people with COPD, so it's essential that you prevent these illnesses to the best of your ability.