What is pneumococcal disease?

Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus.

The most common types of infection caused by this bacteria include middle ear infection, pneumonia, blood stream infection (bacteremia), sinus infection, and meningitis.

Which children are most likely to get pneumococcal disease?

Young children are much more likely than older children and adults to get pneumococcal disease. Children under 2, children in group child care, and children who have certain illnesses (for example sickle cell disease, HIV infection, chronic heart or lung conditions) are at higher risk than other children to get pneumococcal disease.

What are the symptoms of pneumococcal disease?

Meningitis:
High fever, headache, and stiff neck are common symptoms of meningitis in anyone over the age of 2 years. These symptoms can develop over several hours, or they may take 1 to 2 days. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion, and sleepiness. In newborns and small infants: fever, headache, and neck stiffness may be absent or difficult to detect, and the infant may only appear slow or inactive, irritable, vomiting, feeding poorly.

Pneumonia: 
In adults, pneumococcal pneumonia is often characterized by sudden onset of illness with symptoms including shaking chills, fever, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, pain in the chest that is worsened by breathing deeply, and a productive cough. In infants and young children, signs and symptoms may not be specific, and may include fever, cough, rapid breathing or grunting. 

Otitis media: 
Children who have otitis media (middle ear infection) typically have a painful ear, and the eardrum is often red and swollen. Other symptoms that may accompany otitis media include sleeplessness, fever and irritability. 

Blood stream infection: 
Infants and young children with blood stream infections-also known as bacteremia-typically have non-specific symptoms including fever and irritability.

How is pneumococcal disease spread?

Transmission is mostly through droplets from the nose or mouth of a person with a pneumococcal infection.

How is pneumococcal disease treated/cured?

Pneumococcal disease is treated with antibiotics

How is Pneumococcal disease prevented?

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for the prevention of disease among children and adults who are 2 years and older. It is a  23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23)(with the serotypes 1,2 ,3 ,4 ,5 ,6 ,7F ,8 ,9 ,9V,10A ,11A ,12F ,14 ,15B ,17F ,18C ,19A ,20 ,22F ,23F, 33F). It is currently recommended for use in all adults who are > 65 years of age and for persons who are 2 years and older and at high risk for disease such as persons with sickle cell disease, HIV infection, or other immunocompromised condition.