Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. There are over 100 different types, or strains, of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae).
Although pneumococcal infection can be mild, it can also cause serious and even deadly diseases. Serious infections in the blood, lungs, and the lining of the brain and spinal cord can result in hospitalization, lifelong disability, and even death.
Pneumococcal disease can include many different types of infections. Symptoms depend on the part of the body that is infected.
Mild infections:
Serious infections:
Pneumococcal disease is a major public health problem worldwide. Age, medical conditions, and other factors can increase someone’s risk for pneumococcal disease and severe infections.
People at increased risk for pneumococcal disease include:
Some children are at higher risk than others. Experts do not know why, but children of certain racial and ethnic groups also have increased rates of pneumococcal disease, including:
Also, young children attending childcare are at increased risk for serious pneumococcal infection.
Pneumococcal disease is contagious. People spread S. penumoniae bacteria to someone else through droplets of saliva and/or mucus when they:
Many healthy people, especially children, have the bacteria in their nose or throat at one time or another without being ill. This is called carriage. Illness develops when the bacteria spread and cause infection in the body.
The diagnosis is made by finding S. penumoniae in the blood, infected fluid, or phlegm. Isolating and growing the bacteria in a laboratory helps identify the specific type of bacteria causing the infection. Knowing the cause helps doctors choose the right treatment.
If doctors suspect serious pneumococcal disease, like meningitis or bacteremia, they will collect samples or cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord) or blood.
Antibiotics are used to treat pneumococcal disease. Treatment may start with a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which works against a wide range of bacteria. After testing, and once more information is known about the specific strain of bacteria, a more targeted antibiotic may be selected.
For mild infections, your doctor may recommend fluids, pain relievers, and rest.
Even with antibiotic treatment, pneumococcal disease can be deadly. About 1 in 12 children who get pneumococcal meningitis die of the infection. Pneumococcal kills about 1 in 20 who get the disease.
Those who survive may have long-term problems, such as:
Vaccination is the best way to prevent pneumococcal disease. It gives your immune system a head start against a potentially deadly infection.
There are two main types of pneumococcal vaccines. Both are made from polysaccharides (sugars) surrounding the bacteria.
PPSV was the first type of vaccine created and contains polysaccharides as its antigen (substance that induces an immune response in the body). It activates only part of the immune system, which means that protection is short-lived. PPSV vaccines don’t work in children younger than 2 years of age.
PCVs, or conjugate vaccines, contain polysaccharides and a carrier protein. This helps to activate more of the immune system for longer-lasting, more robust protection. PCVs do provide protection to children younger than 2 years of age.
While currently available vaccines are effective, scientists are constantly looking for ways to update and improve them. The types of pneumococcal bacteria known to cause serious disease are increasing. Scientists are working to develop a vaccine that can provide a wider range of long-lasting protection against the most serious pneumococcal diseases.
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