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This comes directly from the WHO

"Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against the new coronavirus?

No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus.
The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts.
Although these vaccines are not effective against 2019-nCoV, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health."

It is worth adding that having had pneumonia 20 years ago should not put you at higher risk, multiple reputable authorities state that pneumonia should not cause any lasting lung damage.
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Pneumonia can be a complication of Covid-19, especially in folks with compromised systems.

Here in BC, doctors are recommending people get their flu shot and Pneumonia one if they have not had them already.

Talk with your own doctor to get advice tailored to your particular health issues.

I had pneumonia 25 years ago when I was 29. I have not had it since and rarely get chest infections, so my doctor has not suggested the pneumonia shot for me.
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AlvaDeer Apr 2020
It is not a flu virus. It was at the beginning and always has been a pneumonia. This was hidden from us and it was called a cold virus, a flu virus. It is now and it always was pneumonia. And an exceptionally unique one that gives a "white out" or a "ground glass appearance on CT scan, almost always along the periphery of the lungs.
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As I understand this, the virus is not causing as much difficulty as the individual patient's immune system is. When exposed to the virus, your immune system responds as it is supposed to. However, in some cases the inflammatory response overreacts and starts attacking the organs instead of just the virus.

So I think the best thing to do is to concentrate on what you can do to keep your immune system as healthy as possible. Sugar inflames the system. Try to cut back on sugar. Eat food, mostly plants, not too much. (M. Pollan). Try to reduce your stress. Google meditation. There are some good apps on breathing exercises. Get some gentle exercise every day. Laugh with people you love- online if you have to. Watch a funny movie.

A friend told me to pretend I signed up for a Bhuddist retreat. She said "People pay good money to sit quietly, meditate and eat whole foods. We're being forced to do that for free!"

Turn off the news. Stay in the house. Wash your hands with soapy water.
This will pass.
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Alice, adding to your comments on immune system strength:

 https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/27/opinions/healthy-diet-immune-system-covid-19-mozaffarian-glickman-nikbin-meydani/index.html

Good, clear recommendations on foods to eat to boost and strengthen immune systems.
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Covid is a pneumonia. We were not told this early on. We were told it was a "cold virus". No. It is a pneumonia virus and a very nasty one. It gives a very distinctive look to the lungs, like ground glass or a snowy whiteout on scan. It is pneumonia.
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BarbBrooklyn Apr 2020
Alva, can you vote a source that indicates that COVID-19 is a pneumonia and not a novel coronavirus various kinds of corona viruses cause the common cold and 'flu of various types). I can find no information that states that the pneumonia that develops is not a complication from the lung damage.
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Talk to your doctor about going ahead and getting the pneumonia shot now. It’s not too late and will be of benefit even after this passes
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Pneumonia, like heart failure or kidney disease, describes the condition of your lungs rather than being a specific disease in its own right.

The generally available vaccine, as I understand it, immunises you against pneumococcal pneumonia: i.e. pneumonia caused by infection with pneumococcal bacteria. It doesn't stop you developing pneumonia for all the other reasons that might crop up in life.

In any case - having had pneumonia and been cured of it nearly twenty years ago would not make you more likely to catch Covid-19. I suppose it's not impossible that damage to your lungs at that time *might* make you more likely to become seriously ill IF you were to catch it, but I should have thought that if there had been any such damage your doctors would have told you about it long before now. In fact, I should have thought your doctors would have told you you ought to get the pneumonia vaccine if they had any reason to believe you're more prone to respiratory disease than the average person.

At 67 you're not in an especially vulnerable age bracket, either. But - like me! - you're quite elderly enough for it to be a chance not to take if you can avoid it. So do the sensible things, and stay indoors as much as you can.

That underlining factor bit.

It's underlying, not underlining. People die with Covid-19 more often if they have *underlying* factors such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer. They can die OF the underlying condition, made less able to resist it because of being simultaneously ill with Covid-19. Covid-19 finishes them off. It is causing a lot of suffering and grief to families who were already facing terribly sad situations.
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When you watch the newes, the main thing they say is: Stay 6 feet away from anyone. Don't go out unless you have to. If you do, wear some kind of mask and gloves, do't touch face etc. You have heard it.
If you get covid19, they say there is a possibilty it can make some conditions worse, like asthma, diabetes.
I haven't seen my friend for 3 weeks. We usually walk our dogs daily together. She won't even talk to me on the phone. text only.
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