Measures to prevent pneumonia in adults

The article was written by Specialist Doctor II Nguyen Xuan Ninh - Emergency Doctor, Emergency Department - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Pneumonia is a common illness that can progress to be serious or even life-threatening. Not all cases of pneumonia are preventable, but when some steps are taken, it can help reduce the risk of pneumonia.

Get vaccinated Stop smoking Wash your hands Follow a healthy lifestyle including: Eat healthy and exercise regularly

Pneumonia can be caused by certain bacteria, viruses or other infectious organisms. Vaccines are available to protect against two main causes of pneumonia: the pneumococcal vaccine and the influenza (influenza) vaccine. There are also vaccines that protect against some less common causes of pneumonia, such as the pertussis vaccine. Getting vaccinated and encouraging those around you to get vaccinated is the best way to prevent pneumonia.

The pneumococcal vaccine offers protection against pneumococcal (also known as Streptococcus pneumoniae), which is one of the most common bacteria that cause pneumonia in adults.
There are different types of pneumococci. The pneumococcal vaccine protects against the most common types of pneumococcus by stimulating the production of antibodies (antibodies are proteins the immune system makes) that help fight infection. Vaccination reduces the number of people who get pneumonia and makes the disease less severe in those who do.
3.1 Pneumococcal vaccines There are two main types of pneumococcal vaccines. These vaccines have different properties and should be used by different groups of people:
● PPSV23 (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine) is commonly used in adults and protects against 23 types of pneumococcal disease. PPSV23 is not effective in infants and children under two years of age.
● PCV13 (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) was developed for use in infants and children. It protects against 13 types of pneumococci. Because PCV13 stimulates a protective immune response in both adults and children, PCV13 is given in addition to PPSV23 in adults at high risk for serious pneumococcal infections.
3.2 Who needs vaccinations? Vaccinations are especially important for adults 65 years of age and older, smokers, people with weakened immune systems, and people with certain chronic medical conditions. Specific vaccination recommendations vary by age and other factors. Your doctor or nurse can talk to you about what is best for your condition.
PPSV23 vaccine is recommended for all adults 65 years of age and older and any adult (over 18 years of age) who smokes or has one or more of the following chronic conditions:
Chronic heart disease , including congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy (but not including high blood pressure) Chronic lung disease, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Diabetes Alcoholism Chronic liver disease

Combination injections of both PCV13 and PPSV23 are recommended for all adults at high risk for severe pneumococcal infections. People who are considered high risk include people with one of the following conditions:
Cerebrospinal fluid leaks Cochlear implants Poor spleen function (including people who have had their spleen removed and people with rosacea) sickle cell disease or diseases that damage the spleen) HIV infection Chronic kidney failure Nephrotic syndrome Leukemia Lymphoma, including Hodgkin's disease Multiple myeloma Metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread) Outside of the original site) Organ transplant A weaker-than-normal immune system, such as congenital or acquired immunodeficiency or use of immunosuppressive drugs (including long-term steroid use and radiation therapy).
Vaccination with both PCV13 and PPSV23 vaccines may also be appropriate for certain populations, such as adults ≥ 65 years of age and those with a history of invasive pneumococcal infections, such as meningitis. or blood infection.
When both vaccines are needed, PCV13 should be given first. PPSV23 is usually given about 8 weeks after PCV13, except in adults 65 years of age and older without the chronic diseases or high-risk conditions outlined above. For these groups of people, the interval between PCV13 and PPSV23 should be one year. If the client has received PPSV23, then the client should wait one year for the PCV13 injection.
Both pneumococcal vaccines are safe for pregnant women.
Because the immune response to PPSV23 declines over time, vaccination with PPSV23 should be repeated every 5 to 10 years for patients at risk of infection. PCV13 is not recommended for booster shots.

Influenza (influenza) vaccine - The flu vaccine reduces the risk of pneumonia caused by the flu virus. They can also help prevent pneumococcal pneumonia or other bacterial pneumonia that occurs as a complication of a flu infection. The annual flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over six months of age. This vaccine is especially important for people at high risk for pneumonia. Pneumonia is the most common serious complication of flu
The flu vaccine varies from year to year and is more likely to protect you if you get it as soon as it becomes available. However, it can still protect you if you get sick late in the season and any time during flu season.
Other vaccines: Vaccines that help protect against less common causes of pneumonia- include: whooping cough vaccine, Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib), measles, and varicella (chicken pox). You should see your healthcare provider for advice on choosing a specific vaccine because each vaccine will have a different recommended age for vaccination.

Smoking weakens the ability to fight pneumonia because it causes lung damage. Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke exposure is an important way to help prevent pneumonia and improve your overall health.

Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers is one of the most important ways to prevent illness and stop spreading it to others, especially when you have a viral infection like the flu.
Pneumonia is spread by contact with respiratory secretions of an infected person (tiny particles that can travel through the air), so contact with someone with pneumonia increases the risk of infection. .
People with pneumonia should cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, throw away used tissues immediately and wash their hands. Sneezing or coughing into your sleeve (on the inside of your elbow) is another way to keep saliva and secretions from spreading to others, and it also helps keep hands clean.

Healthy living that includes eating right, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent many health problems. Especially for chronic conditions that increase the risk of pneumonia, taking medications as prescribed can also help prevent health complications.

References:
Uptodate - patient education: Pneumonia prevention in adults