Pneumonia

Pneumococcal disease is any illness caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria that can be prevented with vaccines. Doctors recommend that Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines or Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for all children younger than 5 years old and children 5-18 years of age with certain medical conditions that make them susceptible to pneumococcal disease.

Pneumococcal disease is any infection caused by the pneumococcus bacteria. These infections affect a wide range of effects such as respiratory infections, blood infections, sinusitis, meningitis, and ear infections. Doctors consider these infections as severe, and many cases require care in a hospital and even cause death in extreme cases.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Those who are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease are the following:

• Children under 2 years old
• Individuals with cochlear implants or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks
• Individuals with chronic illnesses
• Individuals with conditions that weaken the immune system

Adults who are at risk are adults 65 years and older. Adults of all ages are also at increased risk if they have alcoholism, chronic heart, lung, kidney conditions, cochlear implants, CSF leaks, diabetes, nephrotic syndrome, HIV and sickle cell disease.

HOW IS PNEUMONIA SPREAD?

Pneumococcal disease is spread to others through direct contact with respiratory secretions, like saliva or mucus. The bacteria is often transmitted through respiratory droplets and is usually spread within close households and in crowded conditions.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Pneumococcal disease can include many different types of infection depending on what part of the body is infected. Most infections are mild, but some can be serious resulting in chronic conditions and even death. Symptoms include:

• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Fever or chills
• Confusion
• Difficulty breathing
• Sensitivity to light
• Ear pain
• Cough
• Chest pain
• Sore throat
• Pneumonia
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Complications include:

• Infection around lungs and in the chest cavity
• Inflammation of the heart
• Blockage of airways/ collapsed lungs
• Infection of brain and spinal cord

WHEN IS THE VACCINE GIVEN?

There are 2 pneumococcal disease vaccines distributed in the United States: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13, PCV14, and PCV20) and Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23). Doctors recommend PCV for all children younger than 5 years old. The pneumococcal vaccine can be administered as early as 6 weeks for PCV and 2 years old for PPSV. The recommended vaccine schedule is as follows:

• First Dose: 2 months of age
• Second Dose: 4 months of age
• Third Dose: 6 months of age (if needed, depending on brand of vaccine)
• Final/Booster Dose: 12-15 months of age

HISTORY OF PNEUMONIA

• 1881- S. pneumoniae was first isolated by Louis Pasteur
• 1884- Pneumococcal pneumonia was confused with other types of pneumonia until distinguished by the Gram stain
• 1911- Efforts to develop effective pneumococcal vaccines began
• 1915-1945- The chemical structure and antigenicity of the pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide was described
• 1940- More than 80 serotypes of pneumococci had been described
• 1960- Efforts were made to develop antibiotic treatment
• 1977- The first pneumococcal vaccine was licensed for use in the United States
• 2000- The first conjugate pneumococcal vaccine was licensed in the United States