Learn general
What is pneumococcal pneumonia?
Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus is a Gram-positive, lance-shaped anaerobic bacterium. S. pneumoniae inhabits the respiratory tract and usually does not cause symptoms in the nose and throat of healthy people. However, in susceptible individuals, such as the immunocompromised elderly and children, the bacteria can move from one location to another and cause illness. S. pneumoniae is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia , meningitis in children and the elderly, and sepsis in people with HIV.
S. pneumoniae is transmitted through sneezing, coughing and direct contact with sick people. Invasive pneumococcal diseases include bronchitis , rhinitis, acute sinusitis, otitis media, conjunctivitis, meningitis, bacteremia, endocarditis, peritonitis, pericarditis, cellulitis and brain abscess.
Common symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia?
Symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia
Pneumonia is the most common severe form of this disease. Some common signs and symptoms may include:
- Fever and chills;
- Cough;
- Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing;
- Chest pain.
Older adults with pneumonia may experience confusion or less alertness than the common symptoms listed above.
Complications of pneumococcal pneumonia
Sometimes, in some serious cases, the patient may develop many complications.
Pneumococcal meningitis is a complication of infection of the outer membranes of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include:
- Stiff neck;
- Fever;
- Headache;
- Pain when looking at light;
- Confused.
In children, meningitis can cause poor appetite, poor alertness, and vomiting.
Sepsis and septic shock are blood infections. Symptoms include:
- Fever;
- Chills;
- Poor alertness.
Pneumococcus causes up to half of middle ear infections (otitis media). Symptoms include:
- Ear hurt;
- The eardrum is red and swollen;
- Fever;
- Asleep.
You may experience other symptoms not mentioned. If you have any questions about the symptoms, consult your doctor.
When do you need to see a doctor?
If you have any of the above signs or symptoms or have any questions, please consult your doctor. Each person’s body is different. So please consult your doctor to choose the most appropriate option.
The cause to the illness
What causes pneumococcal pneumonia?
S. pneumoniae is a normal part of the upper respiratory tract flora but, like natural organisms, it can cause disease under the right conditions, such as when the host’s immune system is suppressed. Invasins (e.g. pneumolysin) – an antiphagocytic vesicle, other adhesins and immune cell components are major virulence factors. Once it resides in the alveoli, the body responds by stimulating an inflammatory response, which causes plasma, blood and white blood cells to fill the alveoli, a condition known as pneumonia. .
Risk of getting it
Who often gets pneumococcal pneumonia?
Children under 2 years old are at highest risk for this disease. However, you can control this disease by minimizing risk factors. Please consult your doctor for more detailed information.
What factors increase the risk of pneumococcal pneumonia?
Anyone can get this disease, but some people are at higher risk than others. Certain ages or certain health conditions may put you at risk for pneumococcal illness.
Some factors that increase the risk of this disease in children include:
- Children younger than 2 years old;
- Group childcare place;
- People with certain medical conditions (sickle cell disease, HIV infection, chronic heart or lung disease);
- Have a cochlear implant or cerebrospinal fluid leak (drainage of fluid around the brain and spinal cord);
- In addition, some American Indian, Alaskan and African American children are also at increased risk of the disease.
Some scientists believe that adults 65 years of age and older are at higher risk for this disease. Some adults ages 19-64 are also at increased risk, including those who:
- Have a chronic illness (lung, heart, liver or kidney disease, asthma, diabetes or alcoholism);
- Have a health condition that weakens the immune system (HIV/AIDS, cancer or damage, splenectomy);
- Have a cochlear implant or cerebrospinal fluid leak (drainage of fluid around the brain and spinal cord);
- People who smoke.
Effective treatment
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor.
What medical techniques are used to diagnose pneumococcal pneumonia?
In the case of invasive pneumococcal disease, if your doctor suspects that you have meningitis or sepsis, he or she will take cerebrospinal fluid or blood samples and send them to a laboratory for testing.
If pneumococcal bacteria are associated with this condition, your doctor may culture them. Culturing bacteria in the laboratory aims to:
- Confirm the presence of bacteria;
- Identify the specific type of bacteria causing the infection;
- Decide on the best antibiotic.
For non-invasive pneumococcal disease such as ear and sinus infections, the diagnostic process is usually performed by a health care professional based on the medical history supporting the diagnosis of pneumococcal infection and the results from the physical examination. .
What methods are used to treat pneumococcal pneumonia?
Pneumococcal disease is treated with antibiotics. However, many types of pneumococcus have become resistant to some antibiotics used to treat infections.
Antibiotic treatment for invasive pneumococcal infection usually consists of “broad-spectrum” antibiotics until results of sensitivity testing are available. Broad-spectrum antibiotic against a wide range of bacteria. Once the sensitivity of the bacteria is known, the doctor can choose an antibiotic with stronger inhibition.
In addition, judicious use of antibiotics can also slow or reverse drug-resistant pneumococcal infections.
Suitable living regime
What living habits help you limit the progression of pneumococcal pneumonia?
The best way to prevent this disease is to get vaccinated. S. pneumonia vaccine helps protect against more than 90 types of pneumococcus. Disease control measures include:
- Vaccination . Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria that cause most serious illnesses in children and adults;
- Antibiotic . Because antibiotics are not common in people who develop infection after exposure to someone infected with pneumococcus, prophylactic (preventive) antibiotics are not recommended for anyone who has contact with an infected patient.
- Stop smoking.
- Keep your immune system strong by exercising and eating a healthy diet.
