What is pneumococcal

Pneumococcal disease is a leading cause of serious illness throughout the world. In the US, pneumococcal pneumonia causes at least , hospitalizations each year. About 1 in 20 individuals who get pneumococcal pneumonia will die. The death rate is higher in those age 65 years and older. Fewer people will get pneumococcal meningitis or bloodstream infection, but the mortality rate for these infections is higher, even with proper treatment.

The symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia which are similar to pneumonia caused by other organisms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. If the infection could be serious, doctors are likely to begin treatment and prescribe a course of antibiotics before they receive the results of these tests. Anybody can get pneumococcal disease, but some people have a higher risk of the infection or its complications than others.

Bacteria can spread through droplets in the air, for example, when a person with the infection coughs or sneezes. The bacteria do not spread through contaminated food or water. Most people who become exposed to the bacteria have no symptoms because their immune system stops the germs from moving to another part of the body.

However, if a person has a weak immune system, the bacteria can move from the throat to the lungs, blood, sinuses, middle ear, or the brain.

This can lead to a potentially severe infection. There are at least 90 strains of S. However, vaccines can help prevent infection by the most common strains of the bacteria. Doctors recommend certain routine vaccinations to protect children and older adults from pneumococcal disease. After the injection, people may see some redness and swelling at the injection site and experience a mild fever. These symptoms usually go away quickly and are not usually serious. Severe allergic reactions are rare, however.

People who are severely or moderately ill with another infection should receive the vaccine when their condition improves. The vaccines cannot cause pneumococcal disease as they are composed of bacterial capsule components.

Often, a person will recover from a mild pneumococcal infection without any treatment. In some cases, however, a doctor will recommend antibiotics to prevent complications from occurring. A doctor will prescribe antibiotics for an IPD.

Pneumococcal Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know This page offers comprehensive information about pneumococcal vaccines, including types and how well they work. Pneumococcal Vaccination: Information for Healthcare Professionals These webpages give vaccine recommendations and contraindications; composition, immunogenicity, and efficacy; storage and handling; and administration details.

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Not completing the full course of antibiotics could cause the pneumonia to return. If your symptoms are severe, you will usually be given antibiotics through a drip into your arm. You may also be given fluids to stop you becoming dehydrated, and oxygen to help you breathe. Depending on how well you respond to treatment, it may be possible to switch from a drip to antibiotic tablets after a few days. Most people who are treated in hospital require a day course of antibiotics.

The time it will take before you are well enough to return home will depend on your general state of health and whether you experience a more serious type of pneumococcal infection, such as meningitis. It's usually recommended that you attend a follow-up examination six weeks after the start of your symptoms. This is to check that the infection has not caused any serious or permanent damage to the affected parts of your body, such as your lungs. The follow-up examination usually involves taking a chest X-ray so the state of your lungs can be assessed.

You can help prevent the spread of a pneumococcal infection by taking some simple hygiene precautions. All babies are offered pneumococcal immunisation as part of the NHS childhood immunisation schedule. The pneumococcal vaccine for babies is entirely safe, although around one baby in 10 will have some redness and swelling at the site of the injection, and symptoms of a mild fever.

However, these side effects will pass quickly. Speak to your GP or health visitor if you are not sure whether your child has received their pneumococcal immunisation.

Adults can have the pneumococcal vaccine or "pneumo jab" for free if they're in a high-risk group for developing a pneumococcal infection. If you think you could be eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine, speak to your GP or practice nurse to arrange an appointment.

Healthy adults usually only need one dose of the pneumo jab. However, if you've a weakened immune system or spleen disorder, you may need additional booster doses. Your GP can advise you about this. After you've had the pneumo jab, you may experience some pain and inflammation at the site of the injection.

This should last no longer than three days. Less commonly, some people report the symptoms of a mild fever. Again, this should pass quickly. Read more about potential side effects of the pneumococcal vaccine. There is an increasing body of evidence that suggests that people who drink excessive amounts of alcohol are at a greater risk of developing invasive pneumococcal infections. Alcohol is known to suppress the immune system — the body's natural defence system that will attempt to prevent an invasive pneumococcal infection.

Therefore, the best way to lower your risk of developing a pneumococcal infection is to ensure that you stick to the recommended daily amounts of alcohol.

For men, the recommended daily amount of alcohol consumption is three to four units. For women, it's two to three units. A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal-strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure 25ml of spirits. Speak to your GP if you're finding it difficult to moderate your alcohol consumption. Counselling and medication are available for people with an alcohol misuse problem.

Read about alcohol and alcohol misuse for more information and advice. Smoking is the single biggest risk factor for developing an invasive pneumococcal infection in otherwise healthy adults. It's not known exactly why smoking makes a person more vulnerable to an invasive pneumococcal infection. One theory is that the chemicals contained in tobacco smoke disrupt the normal workings of the immune system and make it less efficient.

As well as reducing your risk of developing an invasive pneumococcal infection, giving up smoking will help reduce your risk of developing other serious health conditions, such as cancer, heart disease and stroke. If you want to give up smoking, a good first step is to see your GP.

They will be able to provide help and advice about quitting, and can also refer you to an NHS Stop Smoking support service. These services offer the most effective support for people who want to give up smoking. Studies show you are four times more likely to successfully give up smoking if you do it with the help of the NHS.