Pneumococcal infections

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the bacteria which cause acute infections. These infections are called pneumococcal infections. Streptococcus pneumoniae has around ninety different strains but out of it 10 strains cause most of the infections.

There are two types of pneumococcal infection

– Non-invasive pneumococcal infections
These are less serious infections and occur in the blood or outside the main organs.

– Invasive pneumococcal infections
These are very serous infections and occur in the blood or inside the main organs.

Some of the non-invasive pneumococcal infections are
-sinusitis
-middle ear infection
-bronchitis

Some of the invasive pneumococcal infections are

-meningitis
-pneumonia
-blood infection

Vaccination
Two types of vaccination are used for pneumococcal infections .They are
-PCV vaccination that is pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
It is given to children below 2 years and is a part of their vaccination programme.

-PPV vaccination that is pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
People who are at a risk of developing pneumococcal infection or people above 65 years are recommended this vaccination.

Symptoms

The symptoms of pneumococcal infection depend on the type of infection the person has developed. Some of the common symptoms that develop as a result of these infections are
-chills
-fever
-sweating
-pains and aches
-feeling unwell
-headache

People who are at a higher risk of developing this infection are
-adults above the age of 65
-children below the age of 2 years
-people suffering from some acute health problems such as a heart disease and diabetes
-people who have a weakened immune system

Causes

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the bacteria responsible for Pneumococcal infections. These are found in the throat and spread on sneezing, coughing or by close contact. The bacteria do not create any problem in most of the cases because the body’s immune system does not allow it to move from throat to other body parts. In case of people whose immune system is very weak because of general health and age, the bacteria moves from throat to the other parts. The bacteria may move to the blood, lungs or the brain and can cause serious problems.

Risk factors

People who are at a risk of developing pneumococcal infections are
-children below the age of 2 years
-adults above 65 years
-People with a weak immune system
-People receiving treatments such as chemotherapy that weakens the immune system of the body
-People suffering from spleen dysfunction or a spleen disease
-People suffering from a acute respiratory disease.
-People suffering from a heart disease that is chronic
-People suffering from a liver disease that is chronic
–diabetic people taking insulin
-people having cochlear implant as hearing aid
-a spinal damage that has caused leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from the normal position

One should consult the GP if he or she is in the risk group and has not received the pneumococcal infection vaccination.

Treatment

Non-invasive pneumococcal infections
These infections get cured without treatment and take around a week to get cleared. Taking rest, drinking enough fluids and painkillers may help in relieving the symptoms.

Invasive pneumococcal infections

Mild cases of infection are usually treated using oral antibiotics. The serious infections are treated with the help of intravenous antibiotics.