These Vaccinations Are Essential Over 50, Do You Have Them?

 Children need a host of vaccinations, which usually get done. But once we pass a certain age, we tend to forget and skip the needle entirely. But, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults aged 50 and up get four separate vaccines to protect against illnesses that hit older people particularly hard. While most people already plan on getting their annual flu shot, most older people skip the others, putting them at a greater risk for everything from tetanus to pneumonia.

According to Ada Stewart, M.D., a family physician in Columbia, S.C., and member of the board of directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians, “As we get older, our immune system isn’t as well-functioning.” Therefore, this increases the danger that you'll contract a variety of ailments, but can also raise the risk for people you are in contact with too. 

 

It is therefore essential that you are up to date on these shots. With the exception of the shingles vaccine, they are typically fully covered by most insurance plans, with no copay or coinsurance due. So be sure to check with your insurance provider for specific coverage details. 

 

Below is a list of four vaccines any adult over 50 needs:

1. Protect yourself against shingles

Ask for: Shingrix, an approved vaccine by the Food and Drug Administration. It is more than 90% effective against shingles and its side effects, according to the CDC. 

 

For: Anyone 50 or older. 

 

Why you need it: Shingles is a painful rash with blisters caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. As you age, your risk for developing shingles increases, and if you've had chickenpox. In addition, after having shingles, some people experience long-lasting and sometimes severe pain, known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which can persist for months, or possible, years. 

 

What’s involved: Two doses, two to six months apart. 

 

What else you need to know: The CDC recommends you get Shingrix even if you previously got Zostavax, an older shingles immunization. Ditto if you already had shingles or are not sure if you had chickenpox. 

 

 

2. Ward off pneumonia and related diseases  

 

Ask for: Prevnar 13 (PCV13) and Pneumovax (PPSV23). They are two separate vaccines which when combined, provide greater protection against the pneumococcal bacteria that cause pneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream infections than if you had to take the shot alone. 

 

For: Anyone 65 or older. You are also a candidate for the vaccine (no matter what your age) if you have chronic liver, heart or kidney disease, HIV, diabetes or alcoholism, or if you have cochlear implants, or have had your spleen removed. 

 

Why you need it: Older adults are more likely to come down with pneumonia and related illnesses. Once you do get it, you become more prone to develop complications which can lead to serious health problems, hospitalization and also death. 

 

What’s involved: Two shots, taken a year apart.

3. Boost your immunity to tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis 

 

Ask for: The Tdap vaccine or a Td booster shot. 

 

For: You need the Tdap-booster shot for the childhood DTaP vaccine if you never got the vaccine as a teenager. This is especially true if you have contact with infants or young children. If you got a Tdap over 10 years ago, then you need a booster shot for tetanus and diphtheria only (Td). 

 

What’s involved: A one-time shot for Tdap, and a Td booster every 10 years. 

 

Why you need it: For people over 50, this shot is vital as it can guard against spreading the disease to a baby, such as a grandchild. Infants under six months of age are at greater risk of complications from pertussis, also known as whooping cough. This can be life-threatening. 

 

What else you need to know: You should wait at least two weeks before you have any contact with infants. 

 

4. Get a better flu shot 

 

Ask for: Any of the following vaccines will provide extra protection against the flu, these include: Fluzone High-Dose, which contains four times the amount of antigen (a substance that prompts your body to make antibodies against the disease) as a regular flu shot; or FLUAD, which helps create a stronger immune response; and quadrivalent vaccines, which protect against four strains of flu, as opposed to the usual three. 

 

For: Everyone older than six months should get the annual flu shot, and people over 65 should get one of the stronger vaccines. 

 

What’s involved: One shot per year which the CDC recommends you get by the end of October. Studies show the protection starts to wear off in four to six months, especially in older adults. Which means that if you get the shot too early, it may lose its effectiveness once the flu season hits its peak. 

 

Why you need it: As you get older, your chances of coming down with the flu are greater, and, if you 

forget it you are likely to get sicker. People aged 65 and older account for 60% of flu-related hospitalizations. 

 

What else you need to know: While it varies from year to year, the regular flu shot is only 40% to 60% effective. New, stronger varieties also don't guarantee you won't get sick. Nevertheless, some protection is better than none.

 This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement
https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs. I'm going to add posts there, do give me your valuable feed back on my blogs. Thanks a lot, take care, be healthy and be happy.

9 ‘Contagious’ Conditions That Are Not Truly Contagious

The outbreak of Covid-19 made us all acutely aware of infectious diseases and how they can spread. The problem is, symptoms for contagious and non-contagious conditions often overlap, making it hard to know how alert we should be. While taking precautions like frequent hand-washing is never a bad idea, it is also important to be aware that not all diseases are infectious. In fact, some conditions have a false reputation of being highly contagious when it is, in fact, not true at all. The following 9 conditions cannot be transmitted from person to person, though many people believe the opposite.

1. Pneumonia and Bronchitis

Both of these conditions are the result of respiratory infections - pneumonia infects the lungs while bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways. Whether or not these diseases are contagious depends on what caused them. 

 

Two types of pneumonia that can’t be spread from person to person are fungal pneumonia, which is contracted from the environment, and aspiration pneumonia, which occurs when food or liquid is inhaled into the lungs. Bacterial pneumonia, however, is indeed contagious and is also the most widespread cause of the disease, according to the American Lung Association. Yet, healthcare experts claim it isn’t as infectious as most of us think. The microorganisms that travel from person to person will not automatically lead to pneumonia but might have a much milder effect depending on the individual. 

 

The case for bronchitis is very similar. Acute bronchitis, which is caused by a virus, is contagious, while chronic bronchitis isn’t. The latter is an ongoing condition often caused by long-term smoking or exposure to environmental pollutants.

2. Psoriasis

When we see someone suffering from a skin condition, it is easy to make the mistake of thinking it can be transmitted by touch. While we can’t cover all skin afflictions in one article, we can assure you that one of the most common conditions, psoriasis, is not contagious at all. Psoriasis affects about 2% of the American population and has nothing to do with germs or bacteria that can be passed between people. Rather, it’s an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the skin. Telltale signs of psoriasis include red, itchy patches of skin with white scales on top, mainly found on the elbows, knees, and scalp.

 

3. Ear Infection

Ear infections in itself are not contagious, and can’t be ‘caught’. In fact, one of the common causes is water in your ears. The bad news is that oftentimes, ear infections are a complication of the common cold, as the virus leads to fluid buildup in the middle ear. “Due to congestion caused by the cold, the inner ear fills up with fluid and can become secondarily infected by bacteria; these stay in the ear and are therefore not contagious,” explains Matthew Mintz, MD, clinical associate professor of medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine.

It is important to note that if an ear infection started with a cold and the patient still has cold symptoms, those can still be contagious.

 

4. Rosacea

Rosacea is another widespread visible skin condition, which isn’t contagious nor is it caused by bad hygiene. Rosacea, which hits approximately 14 million Americans, can be recognized by redness, visible blood vessels in the face, and sometimes acne-like breakouts. The causes of rosacea are unknown, but experts theorize it is a combination of genetics and environmental factors. Flare-ups can be triggered by a number of things including hot drinks and spicy foods.

 

The National Rosacea Society explains that antibiotics used to treat rosacea may be effective because they help to combat inflammation, not because they’re killing bacteria.

5. Lyme disease

When it comes to Lyme Disease the only ones who are contagious are the infected ticks, according to the CDC. The bacteria-based disease can only be transmitted when a tick attaches to your skin and feasts on your blood. It cannot be transmitted between humans in any way, not through casual contact and not even through kissing. 

 

Pets aren’t infectious either, though they can carry ticks into your home.

6.Malaria

Similarly to Lyme disease, mosquitos are the only ones guilty of spreading malaria. Only certain species of mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus - and only the females of those species - can transmit the potentially deadly disease. When they bite you, malaria parasites are released into your bloodstream. Symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle pains, feeling hot and shivering, jaundice, among others. 

 

While malaria cannot be transmitted from person to person, it infects red blood cells, which means you could get it through a blood transfusion, by sharing an infected needle, or during pregnancy or childbirth.

 

7. Tetanus

Have you ever been scolded as a child because you were walking barefoot outside? The danger of tetanus likely had something to do with it. Tetanus, also referred to as lockjaw, causes intense muscle spasms which leads to a ‘locking' of the jaw and difficulty in opening the mouth and swallowing. The bacteria responsible for this disease is mainly found in soil, saliva, dust, and manure. 

 

It enters the body through broken skin; the CDC points out that likely ways to get tetanus are via puncture wounds (like from stepping on a nail), wounds that get dirty, and burns. Infected individuals are not contagious. You can get vaccinated against tetanus, and a booster shot is required every 10 years. 

 

 

8. Cellulitis

Cellulitis is caused by bacteria that live on the outer layer of our skin and are often harmless, most commonly group A strep. It becomes a problem, however, when the bacteria penetrate deep into the skin. “If there is damage — either from a cut, recent surgery, or even athlete’s foot — that damage can allow in bacteria, which can affect the deeper layers of the skin,” explains Dr. Mintz. This can result in a serious infection, characterized by swelling, redness, and fluid-filled blisters. The infected area will typically be warm and painful to touch. 

 

While cellulitis needs to be taken seriously, as it can deteriorate into a life-threatening condition, it isn’t contagious. If there is pus or oozing fluid, however, which is not typical for cellulitis, this material can spread infection.

9. Legionnaires Disease

Legionnaires' disease is a rare form of pneumonia caused by the legionella bacteria. It typically begins with fever, headaches, and muscle aches. By the second or third day, people also develop a cough, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and confusion or other mental changes. Outbreaks of legionnaires disease are likely, although the disease isn't contagious. 

 

This is because the culprits are contaminated water supplies. According to the National Institutes of Health, exposure can come from faucets, showers, whirlpools, and the ventilation systems of large buildings. Transmission can only occur when a person inhales mist or water droplets that contain the legionella bacteria. 

 

Not everyone who is exposed to the bacteria will contract the disease. Those at higher risk groups are people over 50, especially if they have a weakened immune system due to chronic illness or smoking.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement
https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for infor on cancer and health related topics
https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs. I'm going to add posts there, do give me your valuable feed back on my blogs. Thanks a lot, take care, be healthy and be happy.

9 ‘Contagious’ Conditions That Are Not Truly Contagious

The outbreak of Covid-19 made us all acutely aware of infectious diseases and how they can spread. The problem is, symptoms for contagious and non-contagious conditions often overlap, making it hard to know how alert we should be. While taking precautions like frequent hand-washing is never a bad idea, it is also important to be aware that not all diseases are infectious. In fact, some conditions have a false reputation of being highly contagious when it is, in fact, not true at all. The following 9 conditions cannot be transmitted from person to person, though many people believe the opposite.

1. Pneumonia and Bronchitis

Both of these conditions are the result of respiratory infections - pneumonia infects the lungs while bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways. Whether or not these diseases are contagious depends on what caused them. 

 

Two types of pneumonia that can’t be spread from person to person are fungal pneumonia, which is contracted from the environment, and aspiration pneumonia, which occurs when food or liquid is inhaled into the lungs. Bacterial pneumonia, however, is indeed contagious and is also the most widespread cause of the disease, according to the American Lung Association. Yet, healthcare experts claim it isn’t as infectious as most of us think. The microorganisms that travel from person to person will not automatically lead to pneumonia but might have a much milder effect depending on the individual. 

 

The case for bronchitis is very similar. Acute bronchitis, which is caused by a virus, is contagious, while chronic bronchitis isn’t. The latter is an ongoing condition often caused by long-term smoking or exposure to environmental pollutants.

2. Psoriasis

When we see someone suffering from a skin condition, it is easy to make the mistake of thinking it can be transmitted by touch. While we can’t cover all skin afflictions in one article, we can assure you that one of the most common conditions, psoriasis, is not contagious at all. Psoriasis affects about 2% of the American population and has nothing to do with germs or bacteria that can be passed between people. Rather, it’s an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the skin. 

 

Telltale signs of psoriasis include red, itchy patches of skin with white scales on top, mainly found on the elbows, knees, and scalp.

3. Ear Infection

Ear infections in itself are not contagious, and can’t be ‘caught’. In fact, one of the common causes is water in your ears. The bad news is that oftentimes, ear infections are a complication of the common cold, as the virus leads to fluid buildup in the middle ear. “Due to congestion caused by the cold, the inner ear fills up with fluid and can become secondarily infected by bacteria; these stay in the ear and are therefore not contagious,” explains Matthew Mintz, MD, clinical associate professor of medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine. 

 

It is important to note that if an ear infection started with a cold and the patient still has cold symptoms, those can still be contagious.

 

4. Rosacea

Rosacea is another widespread visible skin condition, which isn’t contagious nor is it caused by bad hygiene. Rosacea, which hits approximately 14 million Americans, can be recognized by redness, visible blood vessels in the face, and sometimes acne-like breakouts. The causes of rosacea are unknown, but experts theorize it is a combination of genetics and environmental factors. Flare-ups can be triggered by a number of things including hot drinks and spicy foods. 

 

The National Rosacea Society explains that antibiotics used to treat rosacea may be effective because they help to combat inflammation, not because they’re killing bacteria.

5. Lyme Disease

When it comes to Lyme Disease the only ones who are contagious are the infected ticks, according to the CDC. The bacteria-based disease can only be transmitted when a tick attaches to your skin and feasts on your blood. It cannot be transmitted between humans in any way, not through casual contact and not even through kissing. 

 

Pets aren’t infectious either, though they can carry ticks into your home.

 

6. Malaria

Similarly to Lyme disease, mosquitos are the only ones guilty of spreading malaria. Only certain species of mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus - and only the females of those species - can transmit the potentially deadly disease. When they bite you, malaria parasites are released into your bloodstream. Symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle pains, feeling hot and shivering, jaundice, among others. 

 

While malaria cannot be transmitted from person to person, it infects red blood cells, which means you could get it through a blood transfusion, by sharing an infected needle, or during pregnancy or childbirth.

7. Tetanus

Have you ever been scolded as a child because you were walking barefoot outside? The danger of tetanus likely had something to do with it. Tetanus, also referred to as lockjaw, causes intense muscle spasms which leads to a ‘locking' of the jaw and difficulty in opening the mouth and swallowing. The bacteria responsible for this disease is mainly found in soil, saliva, dust, and manure. 

 

It enters the body through broken skin; the CDC points out that likely ways to get tetanus are via puncture wounds (like from stepping on a nail), wounds that get dirty, and burns. Infected individuals are not contagious. You can get vaccinated against tetanus, and a booster shot is required every 10 years.  

8. Cellulitis

Cellulitis is caused by bacteria that live on the outer layer of our skin and are often harmless, most commonly group A strep. It becomes a problem, however, when the bacteria penetrate deep into the skin. “If there is damage — either from a cut, recent surgery, or even athlete’s foot — that damage can allow in bacteria, which can affect the deeper layers of the skin,” explains Dr. Mintz. This can result in a serious infection, characterized by swelling, redness, and fluid-filled blisters. The infected area will typically be warm and painful to touch. 

 

While cellulitis needs to be taken seriously, as it can deteriorate into a life-threatening condition, it isn’t contagious. If there is pus or oozing fluid, however, which is not typical for cellulitis, this material can spread infection. 

 

9. Legionnaires Disease

Legionnaires' disease is a rare form of pneumonia caused by the legionella bacteria. It typically begins with fever, headaches, and muscle aches. By the second or third day, people also develop a cough, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and confusion or other mental changes. Outbreaks of legionnaires disease are likely, although the disease isn't contagious. 

 

This is because the culprits are contaminated water supplies. According to the National Institutes of Health, exposure can come from faucets, showers, whirlpools, and the ventilation systems of large buildings. Transmission can only occur when a person inhales mist or water droplets that contain the legionella bacteria. 

 

Not everyone who is exposed to the bacteria will contract the disease. Those at higher risk groups are people over 50, especially if they have a weakened immune system due to chronic illness or smoking.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

Attention adults: You need vaccinations too! (Important ones listed)

While we keep a close eye on our child’s vaccination chart to ensure they don’t miss out on any vaccination, do you get yourself vaccinated? The question must have startled many - vaccinations for adults - is that even a thing? According to a Pulmonologist, “When we think of vaccines, we envision teary-eyed children at the doctor’s clinic. Vaccines and immunization in India, so far, have been primarily directed towards infants and children, although, vaccination is as important for adults as it is for children.”

For the uninitiated, adolescents and adults carry an even greater burden of illness and death from vaccine preventable infectious diseases than do children. “We must understand that as we age, our immune system begins to deteriorate – a process called “immunosenescence” – as a result of which our ability to fight an infection reduces significantly. Also, many adults suffer from various illnesses which suppress our immune mechanisms further, thus making us more vulnerable to a wide array of infections. Diseases like diabetes, chronic lung disease, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney disease, HIV, cancers, leukemias, lymphomas are the major diseases responsible for a poor immune system in adults. Also, people who smoke, consume excessive alcohol, and those on chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy are more susceptible to acquiring infections. For all these reasons it becomes important for adults to also take the recommended vaccines.” 

So what are some of the vaccines that adults should consider important? Dr Nangia clarifies, “The vaccine recommendations for adults depend on factors like age, lifestyle, high-risk medical conditions, travel plans, and which vaccines a person has received in the past. The most important and common vaccines recommended in India are those against influenza, pneumococcal disease, hepatitis A & B, typhoid, human papillomavirus and diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis.”

Important vaccines for adults: Infleunza, pneumococcal disease, hepatitis A & B, typhoid, human papillomavirus and diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis

Influenza vaccination for adults

And not only your child but experts recommend even adults should get Influenza vaccine every year at the onset of fall. Unlike the West, where influenza is seasonal, in tropical countries like India, it circulates throughout the year. Each year, 3 to 5 million cases of severe influenza are reported worldwide. Depending on the virus’ ability to harm a person, each year up to 650,000 deaths happen due to Influenza. The true burden of influenza is generally under-recognized due to a number of reasons including under-testing and under-reporting.


WHO recommends that pregnant women should have the highest priority when it comes to vaccination right now. According to a Dr.,  “Additional risk groups to be considered for vaccination, are children aged 6 months - 5 years, the elderly, individuals with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions, and healthcare workers. Vaccination of healthcare workers should be considered as part of a broader infection control policy for healthcare facilities.


Considering the impact of Influenza, the most important strategy is prevention through annual vaccination which can be administered at any time of the year. It is advisable to administer the latest strain of influenza vaccine for children, adults and healthcare workers to protect them against influenza. Although Influenza vaccine is not effective against COVID-19, it will help protect individuals from the burden of seasonal Influenza. 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement