What can Streptococcus pneumoniae cause?
Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of middle ear infections, sepsis (blood infection) in children and pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals and the elderly. It can also cause meningitis (inflammation of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord) or sinus infections.
What are the signs and symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia?
Symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, stiff neck, confusion, increased sensitivity to light, joint pain, chills, ear pain, sleeplessness, and irritability. In severe cases, pneumococcal disease can cause hearing loss, brain damage, and death.
How is pneumococcal disease spread?
How is pneumococcal disease spread? It spreads from person-to-person by coming into contact with fluids like the saliva or mucus of someone who is sick. Many people, especially children, can have this bacteria in their nose or throat without being ill and can still transmit the disease to others.
Who is at risk for Streptococcus pneumoniae?
Adults 65 years or older are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease. Adults of all ages are also at increased risk for pneumococcal disease if they have: Alcoholism. Chronic heart, lung, kidney, or liver disease.
Who gets pneumococcal pneumonia?
Adults 19 or older with chronic health conditions such as COPD, asthma, diabetes, and chronic heart disease face greater risk for pneumococcal pneumonia. Adults 65+ are at 6.1x greater risk for pneumococcal pneumonia versus healthy adults aged 18–64.
Who is high risk for pneumonia?
What are the complications of pneumococcal pneumonia?
Complications of pneumococcal pneumonia include: Empyema (infection around the lungs and in the chest cavity) Pericarditis (inflammation of the outer lining of the heart)…Pneumonia
- Fever and chills.
- Cough.
- Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing.
- Chest pain.