Here's to Your Health: Pneumonia & Flu at the Oak Park Arms

A representative from Interim HealthCare will present a talk titled, “Pneumonia & Flu,” at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the Oak Park Arms retirement community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. The seminar is part of the ongoing monthly series called, “Here’s To Your Health.”

Influenza, otherwise known as the flu, is a viral illness of which there are many different strains. Pneumonia is a chest infection caused by a variety of viruses, as well as bacteria or fungi, or it may be a complication of the flu.

Seniors are especially susceptible to pneumonia for several reasons. Since they often already suffer from ailments such as heart disease, they have a lowered tolerance of infection.

Both pneumonia and the flu can be serious, even life threatening conditions. Both conditions have some symptoms in common, such as cough, fever, sweats and chills.

Seniors over the age of 65 are considered ‘at risk’ for the flu and are advised to get the flu vaccine as it prevents the most serious strains and may ease the severity of any flues a person does contract.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay - a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information call 708-386-4040 or visit http://www.oakparkarms.com.