The importance of vaccines for adults
The world is anxiously awaiting a new vaccine to address the current pandemic but meanwhile, there are several adult vaccines that can prevent other illnesses, which everyone should consider. According to the Alliance for Aging Research, over 50,000 American adults pass away each year from vaccine preventable disease. Thousands more are hospitalized with preventable diseases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designated August as National Immunization Awareness Month to encourage all ages to get up to date on vaccinations.
How do vaccines work?
Each time the human body fights an infection, it learns how to fight that disease and remembers how to protect the body if the disease returns. A vaccine is an imitation of an infection that allows the immune system to learn how to fight a specific infection. Once the immune system has been trained to fight an infection, it protects the body if it ever encounters that disease again.
Vaccines are rigorously tested and monitored by the CDC and the FDA to be safe. Some people experience mild symptoms like a fever after getting a vaccination but these only last a short time. People can’t contract the disease from the vaccine. However, it can take several weeks for the immune system to develop immunity so it is important to keep from getting infected during this time.
Why get a vaccine?
The most obvious reason for getting a vaccine is to protect your health. No one plans to come in contact with a disease but if it happens, you will be protected. Although some of the viruses and bacteria that cause illness are not common, they still exist. The best plan of defense is to be immunized.
Another reason for adults to be vaccinated is to protect the health of those around you, especially young people. For example, adults are the most common source of whooping cough infection in infants, a potentially deadly condition for those so young. When you are sick for a week or two, you can spread the illness to more vulnerable people around you including the elderly, children and people suffering from chronic disease. Although it may not be your intention to harm others, you can be spreading disease to others who can’t fight it well.
Coming down with a preventable infection can also be very costly. Lost time from work, doctor visits or hospital stays can add up during a time of illness. People who depend upon you like children or elderly parents will also be affected during the time you are unable to care for them.
Vaccines are also important ways to stay healthy depending on your health and lifestyle. Vaccines are crucial for people with chronic diseases like diabetes or heart disease. Vaccinations can protect you from serious complications when you have these conditions. If you are in a profession like education or retail sales, the chances of being exposed to disease are increased so it is important to get vaccinated. If you travel to other countries, there are vaccines that may be important for your health in other lands. Some vaccines, like tetanus, need to be given periodically to be effective. To determine the best immunization plan, talk with your doctor for his recommendations based on your personal health history and lifestyle.
An ounce of prevention
As with all things in life, it is always wise to prevent problems before they happen. Vaccinations are an important part of a healthy lifestyle because they can prevent illness. This proactive approach to health can also apply after a serious medical event or surgery. Instead of hoping that complications won’t occur, take measures to improve the outcome. In many cases, this can mean choosing to recover in a short-term post-hospital care facility where health and safety issues are addressed by a staff of professionals. Getting the proper medical care, rehabilitation and nourishment can help prevent complications from occurring.
One of the premier facilities for delivering this high level of care is Whitehall of Deerfield. Receiving Medicare’s highest rating in its five-star quality rating system of rehabilitation facilities, Whitehall of Deerfield provides a full range of therapies targeted to meet each guest’s individual needs. A clinical nurse liaison completes an assessment to find out areas that need attention. Then physical, occupational and speech therapists work one-on-one with guests seven days a week. A state-of-the-art orthopedic rehabilitation center, along with rehab gyms, provide all the equipment needed to reach your highest level of independence and functioning.
This consistent, attentive and compassionate care is provided by everyone from the concierge to the nursing staff. Guests enjoy world-class amenities in a deluxe setting that is rarely found in health care. Beautifully landscaped grounds, rooms decorated with lavish woodwork, tasteful decor, a sun-filled solarium give the feel of a hotel get-away during a stay at Whitehall of Deerfield.
Whitehall of Deerfield also provides the strictest level of safety and infection control, offering you a short-term stay in its separate infection-free, post-hospital wing with a specially trained, dedicated staff. Whitehall of Deerfield also provides routine facility-wide COVID-19 testing and ongoing patient and staff monitoring to ensure your health and safety.
For a safe and effective recovery experience, choose to stay at Whitehall of Deerfield . To learn more, visit whitehallofdeerfield.com or call 847-945-4600.