Family Health:
Screenings and vaccines

Know and track your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers. There are usually no signs or symptoms of high blood pressure or high cholesterol. That's why it's important to:

• have your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly
• write down your numbers
• stay on the treatment plan you and your doctor agreed upon

Your goals will depend on your risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Ask your doctor what your goals should be.

More information

Learn more about high blood pressure.

Learn more about high cholesterol.

Influenza vaccine

Here are some facts about flu and the flu vaccine:

• Anyone can get the flu.
• The flu is caused by a virus that spreads from people with the flu to the nose or throat of other people without the flu.
• The flu vaccine does not contain live viruses, so you cannot get the flu from the shot.
• The flu vaccine can keep you from getting the flu.
• You can get the flu vaccine at the same time you get other vaccines, such as the pneumonia vaccine.
• The flu vaccine is updated every year because the viruses that cause the flu change.

More information

See Facts about flu.

Review your vaccine history with your doctor and ask if you need this vaccine, also known as the pneumonia vaccine. This vaccine prevents pneumococcal disease. Here are some facts about this  disease:

• it can cause pneumonia (infections of your lungs), meningitis (infections of the covering of your brain), an infection in your blood, or ear infections.
• anyone can get it. 
• if you are 65 or older, or if you have diabetes, chronic heart, lung, kidney or liver disease you are more likely to get it. 
• children under age 2 are more likely to get it. 

More information
Read information about pneumococcal vaccination from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

Both men and women should be checked for colon cancer or growths that can turn into colon cancer:

• if you are age 50 or older; you should be tested for colon cancer.
• most colon cancers occur in men and women who are age 50 and older.
• screening tests can find growths before they turn into cancer. Colon cancer can be prevented if these growths are removed.
• if you get checked and you do have cancer, the earlier you and your doctor treat the cancer the better. It is curable if found and treated early.
• there is more than one way to get tested. You and your doctor should choose the test that's best for you.

More information

Learn more about preventing colon cancer.

A mammogram can help find cancer early, when it is too small to be felt. Women ages 40 and older should schedule mammogram appointments.

You should:

• have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years.
• consider scheduling your mammogram 3 to 10 days after your menstrual cycle (period). This is when your breasts are less sensitive.
• ask your facility if they need a doctor's order. If so, get the order and take it with you when you go for your mammogram. 

More information

Learn more about breast cancer.

The Pap test can find changes in the cervix that may lead to cancer. Cervical cancer can often be prevented if changes in the cervix are found and treated early.

• Women should begin screening for cervical cancer at age 21 (younger if sexually active).
• Screening should be done every 1 to 2 years until age 30.
• If you are 30 years or older and have had a Pap test with normal results for 3 years in a row, you may only need a Pap test every 2 to 3 years.
• Cervical cancer screening in women older than age 30 may also include an HPV test. A doctor does an HPV test by taking a sample of cells from the cervix at the same time a Pap test is done. This test is painless. If results of both tests are normal, you may only need to repeat screening every 3 years.
• Women age 70 years and older may stop getting Pap tests if past results are normal.
• Women who have had a hysterectomy should talk with their doctor about Pap testing.

Talk to your doctor about the type of screening that is right for you.

More information

Learn more about cervical cancer.

Sexually active women age 24 years and younger should be tested for Chlamydia. Chlamydia is an infection. It often has no symptoms. You may not know you have it. Left untreated, the infection can lead to tubal pregnancies and infertility.

Discuss screening for STDs, such as gonorrhea and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with your doctor.

More information
Learn more about sexually transmitted diseases.

Schedule and keep the following well-child appointments:  

• 3-5 days
• 1 month
• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 9 months
• 12 months
• 15 months
• 18 months
• 24 months

Well-child appointments give the doctor time to do routine screenings and tests your child may need. Your child’s doctor may also give any vaccines your child needs. 

Don’t wait to get your child vaccinated. Vaccinations can protect your child from disease. You will also protect others at home or daycare.

Make sure your child gets all recommended shots before age two. You can find the most up-to-date schedule on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

It's important to:

• tell the doctor if your child has allergies or if there are any medicines your child cannot take.
• write down all vaccines your child receives on an immunization record card. 
• if you change doctors, make sure the new doctor has a complete list of all vaccines your child has received.

More information
See Guiding Your Child through the Early Years.

Preteens need immunizations (vaccines) too. Some vaccines require a "booster shot". These shots protect him or her from serious diseases. Talk about vaccines at every visit, including:

• yearly medical checkups.
• sick visits.
• visits for sport and camp physicals.

You can find the most up-to-date schedule on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Make sure your preteen has received all vaccines he or she needs. Checkups are a good time to catch up on any vaccines your child may have missed. 

While there, talk to your doctor about:

• any shots that are needed.
• growth and body changes.
• changes in your child's behavior.
• diet, exercise and Body Mass Index Measurement.

More information
See Guiding Your Child through the Adolescent Years.