A serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, pneumococcal disease can affect anyone.
But the risk of serious illness increases with age and certain medical conditions.
For those who are older, especially those with specific conditions and weakened immune systems, this disease is important to take seriously. In fact, it can cause many types of infections, depending on the part of the body it attacks.
From lung infections to bloodstream infections, middle ear infections, sinus infections, and even meningitis, an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, this disease can have far-reaching effects.
Some Black adults also experience higher rates of pneumococcal disease and serious outcomes than other racial and ethnic groups. These differences may reflect a combination of underlying health conditions, smoking, vaccination rates, access to care, socioeconomic factors, and other environmental and structural factors.
So getting informed answers matters. If you can recognize key symptoms, understand risk factors, and know how to prevent and respond to them, then you’re well on your way to preserving your health and reducing the risk of serious complications from pneumococcal disease.
RELATED: Why Chronic Conditions Can Make Pneumococcal Disease More Serious
Immune system degradation is a part of aging.
As we get older, our bodies naturally become less efficient at fighting certain infections, a process sometimes called immunosenescence. The reasons are complex, but basically, the body’s production of key immune cells and the effectiveness of some immune responses can change, while chronic low-grade inflammation increases. As a result, one’s response to new infections may become less effective.
What do these changes mean for bacteria? Essentially, this means bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae have a greater opportunity to cause serious illness, particularly in people with weakened immune defenses.
As previously mentioned, pneumococcal disease can take several forms. The most familiar is pneumococcal pneumonia, the infection of the lungs. However, these same bacteria, which may cause relatively mild illness in some people, can also cause invasive disease, including what is known as bacteremia. This bloodstream infection, as well as the aforementioned meningitis, can both be very serious, even life-threatening.
This is why, unfortunately, the risk of hospitalization and death from pneumococcal disease generally increases with age.
According to recent U.S. data, Black adults experience higher rates of pneumococcal disease and related serious outcomes across some adult age groups. Differences have also been observed in hospitalization rates and the ages at which serious disease occurs, such as the 50–64 range, when compared with other groups. However, these disparities are complex and should not be attributed to race alone.
Underlying health conditions can play an important role in pneumococcal disease risk. Whether it’s type 2 diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung disease such as asthma or COPD, kidney disease, or a history of smoking—all can increase susceptibility.
Combined with age, these factors can significantly increase the risk of severe outcomes. When multiple conditions are present, the risk may increase further.
Pneumococcal disease can affect healthy people, but certain groups are more likely to develop serious illness. These can include:
Your individual risk and vaccination needs depend on factors such as your age, health history, and previous vaccinations.
For all these reasons and more, it’s important to know what to look out for.
Take pneumococcal pneumonia, for instance. In many ways, early symptoms often resemble a bad cold or the flu, which can delay care.
Be vigilant. Common signs include:
Don’t disregard symptoms, particularly when they persist.
When pneumococcal disease is invasive and enters parts of the body that are normally free of germs, like the blood, brain, or spinal cord, it can progress quickly. Some warning signs require immediate medical attention, including severe trouble breathing, a persistent high fever, confusion, profound drowsiness, difficulty waking, or a severe headache accompanied by a stiff neck.
So, track the progress. While symptoms may seem mild at first, if they become more intense than a typical respiratory illness, last longer than a few days, or worsen instead of improving, seek medical attention.
Not everyone—especially older adults—will experience the same symptoms. If you are concerned about a rapidly worsening illness, contact a healthcare professional rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe.
If you’ve identified yourself as having some of the risk factors outlined thus far, then you’re already well on your way to taking preventive steps.
The first thing to understand is how pneumococcal disease spreads. The disease can spread in various ways, including through direct contact with saliva droplets or mucus. Pneumococcal bacteria can live in the nose and throat without causing illness, but they can sometimes cause infection when they enter normally sterile parts of the body or when a person is particularly vulnerable.
If somebody around you appears sick, distance yourself or isolate. Good respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene can help reduce the spread of respiratory infections.
If you’re feeling particularly unwell and your immune defenses are down, see your doctor and stay home and rest if you can.
The disease can be spread through:
Now, just because you’re older or have risk factors, that doesn’t mean you have to live in a bubble!
It simply means you need to take extra precautions and act promptly when symptoms occur. Stay in close contact with your primary care physician and any specialists, and don’t feel like a nuisance if you’re concerned that mere ‘cold’ symptoms may be something more.
The CDC identifies vaccination as the best preventive strategy, while also stressing proper diagnosis to rule out and address issues as quickly as possible. To diagnose an S. pneumoniae infection, doctors generally rely on isolating the organism from blood or other normally sterile body sites.
The most commercially available test is a urinary antigen test. This test can detect the C-polysaccharide antigen of S. pneumoniae as a likely cause. Best of all? It’s rapid, simple to use, reasonably specific for adults, and can detect pneumococcal pneumonia after starting antibiotic therapy.
At the start, most serious infections are treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, once antibiotic testing is done, healthcare providers may opt for more targeted, or narrow-spectrum, options.
Be sure to take the full course of antibiotics, because if you don’t, the infection may return and be harder to treat. Also, especially for milder infections, follow your healthcare professional’s recommendations for supportive care, which may include staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest, and using appropriate medications for fever or pain.
Again, being prepared—not scared—is the name of the game.
Not sure when to speak to a healthcare provider? In most cases, you should schedule a discussion about pneumococcal prevention if any of the following apply:
Caring for young children or older adults does not automatically mean you are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease, but caregivers can still benefit from practicing good respiratory and hand hygiene and staying up to date on recommended vaccinations.
When you come to the office, have your information ready. That means having a list of your current medications and any vaccine records.
Also, be specific in your questions. For example, you may ask, “Given my age, medical history, and vaccination history, what preventive measures do you recommend?”
Overall, pneumococcal disease may affect certain people at higher rates, but that doesn’t mean that it’s inevitable. Just because you’re older or have a particular health history, you’re not necessarily going to contract the disease. However, being aware, taking proactive steps, staying up to date on recommended vaccinations, and staying in touch with your doctor is always vital.
If you’re unsure whether you should receive a pneumococcal vaccine, review your age, medical history, and vaccination history with your healthcare professional. And if you develop severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.
If you have any questions or concerns, there’s never shame in consulting a healthcare professional.
At the end of the day, the first step is simply asking the question and following through. Taking preventive steps today can help protect your health in the future.
By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
