Pneumococcal Infections

Often, symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia Overview of Pneumonia Pneumonia is an infection of the small air sacs of the lungs (alveoli) and the tissues around them. Pneumonia is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Often, pneumonia is the final... read more begin suddenly. People have fever, chills, a general feeling of illness (malaise), shortness of breath, and a cough. The cough brings up sputum that is rust-colored.

Commonly, sharp, stabbing chest pains occur on one side. Deep breathing and coughing make the pains worse. In about 40% of people, fluid accumulates between the layers of tissue that cover the lungs (called pleural effusion Pleural Effusion Pleural effusion is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space (the area between the two layers of the thin membrane that covers the lungs). Fluid can accumulate in the pleural... read more ). Pleural effusion may contribute to chest pain and make breathing difficult.

Chest x-rays are taken to look for signs of pneumonia. Doctors take a sample of sputum and examine it under a microscope. A sample of sputum, pus, or blood may be sent to a laboratory to grow (culture) bacteria. Pneumococcal bacteria are easily identified. They are also tested to see which antibiotics are effective (a process called susceptibility testing Testing a Microorganism's Susceptibility and Sensitivity to Antimicrobial Drugs Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Doctors suspect an infection based on the person's symptoms, physical examination results,... read more ).

People with pneumococcal meningitis Acute Bacterial Meningitis Acute bacterial meningitis is rapidly developing inflammation of the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord (meninges) and of the fluid-filled space between the meninges (subarachnoid... read more have fever, headache, and a general feeling of illness (malaise). They have a stiff neck that makes lowering the chin to the chest painful and difficult, but this problem is not always obvious early in the disease.

Unlike older children and adults, most infants with meningitis Newborns and children under 12 months of age Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection of the layers of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord ( meninges). Bacterial meningitis in older infants and children usually results from bacteria... read more do not have a stiff neck. They may only be reluctant to eat and be irritable or sluggish.

Pneumococcal meningitis may lead to complications, such as

The diagnosis of pneumococcal meningitis requires a spinal tap Spinal Tap Diagnostic procedures may be needed to confirm a diagnosis suggested by the medical history and neurologic examination. Imaging tests commonly used to diagnose nervous system (neurologic) disorders... read more (lumbar puncture) to obtain a sample of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid). The sample is checked for signs of infection, such as white blood cells and bacteria.

Pneumococcal otitis media Otitis Media (Acute) Acute otitis media is a bacterial or viral infection of the middle ear. Acute otitis media often occurs in people with a cold or allergies. The infected ear is painful. Doctors examine the eardrum... read more causes ear pain and a red, bulging eardrum or pus behind the eardrum. These infections can cause

Pneumococcal bacteria causes about 30 to 40% of all cases of otitis media in children. Pneumococcal otitis media commonly recurs.

The diagnosis of pneumococcal otitis media is usually based on symptoms and results of a physical examination. Cultures and other diagnostic tests are usually not done.

Pneumococcal sinusitis Sinusitis Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses, most commonly caused by a viral or bacterial infection or by an allergy. Some of the most common symptoms of sinusitis are pain, tenderness, nasal congestion... read more most commonly affects the sinuses located in the cheekbones (the maxillary sinuses) and the sinuses located on either side of the nasal cavity (the ethmoid sinuses). The infection causes sinus pain and pus discharged from the nose. The infection may become chronic. The infection may extend into the skull and cause complications such as the following:

A doctor bases the diagnosis of sinusitis on the typical symptoms. A computed tomography (CT) scan is done when people have symptoms of complications or when people have chronic sinusitis.

Pneumococcal bacteremia Bacteremia Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream. Bacteremia may result from ordinary activities (such as vigorous toothbrushing), dental or medical procedures, or from infections ... read more is bacteria in the bloodstream. It may be the primary infection, or it may accompany any of the other pneumococcal infections. When bacteremia occurs, it may lead to other infections, such as in the joints (infectious arthritis Infectious Arthritis Infectious arthritis is infection in the fluid and tissues of a joint usually caused by bacteria but occasionally by viruses or fungi. Bacteria, viruses, or fungi may spread through the bloodstream... read more ), the lining of the heart (endocarditis Infective Endocarditis Infective endocarditis is an infection of the lining of the heart (endocardium) and usually also of the heart valves. Infective endocarditis occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and travel... read more ), or the tissues covering the spinal cord and brain (meningitis).

If bacteremia is suspected, doctors usually take a sample of blood so they can try to grow (culture) the bacteria in the laboratory and identify it.

Despite antibiotic treatment, pneumococcal bacteremia often causes death, especially in older people, people who have disorders that weaken their immune system, or people who have no spleen.

For more information, see also Pneumococcal Vaccine Pneumococcal Vaccine Pneumococcal vaccines help protect against bacterial infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococci). Pneumococcal infections include ear infections, sinusitis, pneumonia... read more and the vaccine schedules for children and adults from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Two types of pneumococcal vaccines are available: conjugate and polysaccharide.

The vaccine schedules vary depending on the person's age and medical conditions. All children 2 months through 6 years of age should receive PCV13 as part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule Childhood Vaccination Schedules Vaccination protects children against many infectious diseases. Vaccines contain either noninfectious components of bacteria or viruses or whole forms of these organisms that have been weakened... read more . Adults 65 years of age or older and those 19 to 64 years of age who have certain high-risk conditions Administration Pneumococcal vaccines help protect against bacterial infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococci). Pneumococcal infections include ear infections, sinusitis, pneumonia... read more should receive 1 dose of PCV15 followed by PPSV23 or 1 dose of PCV20.

If children under 5 years old do not have a spleen or if their spleen is not functioning, they may be given antibiotics (such as penicillin) in addition to the vaccine. In such cases, antibiotics may be continued throughout childhood and into adulthood.