As winter approaches, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending the flu shot for everyone over the age of six months, especially for those who are more at risk to the potential complications arising from influenza such as pneumonia. Those mostly at risk are people over 65 or under five, pregnant women, those with chronic heart or lung conditions and those with weakened immune systems such as HIV or diabetes.
However, if you have mesothelioma, should you have the shot? Mesothelioma experts tend to agree that those with the disease should have the vaccination. The reason is that up to 20% of Americans get the flu every year with between 3,000 and 49,000 people dying of complications arising from the virus. More than 200,000 people in the U.S. have to go to hospital each year due to the flu.
If you have mesothelioma, the last thing you need is any virus which might affect your lungs so unless you have overriding reasons not to have it, it is best to go ahead and have the injection which is 71% effective in preventing the flu.
If you have been exposed to asbestos, and have developed an asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma, contact the Law Office of Brayton Purcell, LLP at (800) 598-0314 immediately. Or contact us online for a free consultation.
