Most of us only think about immunizatons when we're raising small children, but there are many new preventive strategies that you can take as an adult to protect yourself from contagious diseases.
Instructions
Protect yourself from Contagious Diseases
1. Get an Influenza shot each year, if you are age 50 and older, have chronic illnesses or weakened immune system, are a health care worker or in contact with young children.
2. Discuss a pneumonia shot with your doctor, if you are an adult age 65 and older or have a chronic illness, a weakened immune system or if your spleen has been removed.
3. Get a tetanus shot immediately if you have had a cut or puncture wound, and have not had a shot within the past 10 years.Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) or tetanus and diphtheria (Td) shots are recommended for adults ages 19 to 64, and for those in contact with small children if they were not vaccinated as children.
4. Protect yourself from meningitis if you have a weakened immune system, travel to certain countries; or if there is a community outbreak, for example, on a college campus.
5. Know your risk for hepatitis, a potentially serious disease. Hepatitis A immunization is recommended for adults with chronic liver disease, those who’ve been exposed to someone with the disease, or those traveling to certain countries. Hepatitis B immunization is recommended If you’ve been exposed to infected blood or body fluids, use injected drugs or have multiple sex partners.
6. Ask your doctor for one shingles shot, if you are an adult 60 and older.
7. Protect yourself from the cancer-associated human papillomavirus (HPV): Three doses over six months are recommended for girls and women ages 9 to 26.
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