Pneumococcal disease is a broad term used to classify illnesses caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) bacteria. Infections can range from ear and sinus conditions to lung and blood illnesses.
These infections can be very serious and some can be life threatening. In fact, in the United States an estimated 150,000 hospitalizations are attributed to pneumococcal pneumonia (a lung infection) each year. Pneumococci cause more than 50% of all cases of bacterial meningitis (an infection of the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord) in the United States with approximately 2,000 cases of pneumococcal meningitis occurring each year.
Pneumococcal disease is spread from person to person by direct contact with respiratory secretions, such as mucus or saliva. Many individuals, typically children, carry pneumococcal bacteria in their noses and throats without symptoms and can unknowningly infect others (asymptomatic spread).
Symptoms of pneumococcal disease depend on the organ system affected. Some of the most common types of infections and their symtpoms include:
Middle ear infection: ear pain, fever, sleeplessness, red, and/or swollen ear drum (seen by physician through otoscope)
Sinus infection: headache, runny or stuffy nose, pain or pressure in the face, postnasal drip
Complications due to a sinus infection are rare, but could include infection of surrounding eye tissue, bone infection, or an abscess.
Pneumonia: fever or chills, cough, rapid or difficulty breathing
Older people may have confusion or decreased alertness instead of the symptoms listed.
Complications of pneumonia may include an infection in the chest cavity and around the lungs, inflammation of the heart lining, and blockage of the airway, collapse and abscess in the lungs.
Meningitis: stiff neck, fever, headache, sensitivity to light, confusion
Babies may present with poor appetite, low alertness, and vomiting.
This infection can be fatal, and those surviving may have long-term complications like hearing loss or developmental delay.
Pneumococcal bacteremia: fever and chills, low alertness
This infection can be fatal. Those who survive could experience a loss of limb(s).
Sepsis (the body's extreme response to an infection whcih is a life-threatening medical emergency): fever, shivering or feeling cold, confusion or disorientation, shortness of breath, clammy/sweaty skin, extreme pain or discomfort , high heart rate
Complications of sepsis can include kidney failure and brain, lung or heart damage.
The best way to prevent pneumococcal disease is to keep up to date on recommended vaccines.
Additional tips to protect yourself and others:
There are four pneumococcal vaccines licensed for use in the United States:
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV15, PCV20, or PCV21):
Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23):
Some people may still develop pneumococcal disease after vaccination due to the fact that these vaccines do not protect against all types of pneumococcal bacteria and protection from these vaccines is good, but not perfect (or 100%).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends pneumococcal vaccination with a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) for all children under age 5, people ages 5 through 49 with certain risk factors, and all adults 50 years and older.
References:
Centers for Diease Control and Prevention. Pink Book. Chapter 17: Pneumococcal Disease. https://www.cdc.gov/pinkbook/hcp/table-of-contents/chapter-17-pneumococcal-disease.html. Posted May 1, 2024. Accessed December 10, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Pneumococcal Disease. Posted October 31, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/about/index.html#cdc_disease_basics_types-types. Accessed December 10, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Sepsis. https://www.cdc.gov/sepsis/about/index.html. Posted March 8, 2024. Accessed December 10, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Types of Pneumococcal Vaccines. https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/vaccines/types.html. Posted September 12, 2024. Accessed December 10, 2024.
Food and Drug Administration. Vaccines. Vaxneuvance. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines/vaxneuvance. Last updated July 22, 2022. Accessed December 10, 2024.
Food and Drug Administration. Vaccines. Prevnar 20. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines/prevnar-20. Last updated June 2, 2023. Accessed December 10, 2024.
Food and Drug Administration. Vaccines. Capvaxive. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/capvaxive. Last updated July 17, 2024. Accessed December 10, 2024.
MerckVaccines.com. Pneumovax 23 Package Insert. https://www.merckvaccines.com/vaxneuvancepneumovax23/p23-dosage-and-administration/. Last revised March 2023. Accessed December 10, 2024.
These articles are not a substitute for medical advice, and are not intended to treat or cure any disease. Advances in medicine may cause this information to become outdated, invalid, or subject to debate. Professional opinions and interpretations of scientific literature may vary. Consult your healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, exercise, or medication regime.