TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.
Your respiratory health is important, ask your doctor about how to protect against pneumococcal pneumonia.
Here’s what to talk about.
Your health:
Certain chronic medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or chronic lung disease can increase your risk for pneumococcal pneumonia. The risk increases if you have more than one of these conditions.
Medicines you take:
Taking medicines that suppress your immune system can also put you at higher risk. This includes some medicines that are used to treat psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis, among other conditions.
Your age:
Babies 12 months and under and people 70 and older are at higher risk of pneumococcal pneumonia compared to other age groups.
Here are some questions to ask.
- What is pneumococcal pneumonia?
- How do you get pneumococcal pneumonia?
- I'm active and healthy, am I still at risk of getting pneumococcal pneumonia?
- How can I help protect myself against pneumococcal pneumonia?
Bring this guide with you to start the conversation.
