What Parents should know - Pneumococcal Pneumonia

By: Farhah Marhaini Zainal Abidin on 3:24 PM

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What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. These pathogens enter the body when they are breathed into the lungs, causing breathing difficulties. 

What is Pneumococcal disease?

Pneumococcal (pronounced as new-mo-co-ccal) disease is a group of diseases caused by the bacterium known as Streptococcuc pneumonia, also known as pneumococcus. 

Risk Factors & Transmission of Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Children at higher risk for pneumococcal disease include those:

• Younger than 2 years of age
• In group child care
• Who have certain illnesses (sickle cell disease, HIV infection, and chronic heart or lung conditions)
• With cochlear implants or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks (escape of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord)

How is Pneumococcal Pneumonia transmitted?

Pneumococcus is spread through contact with people who are ill or who carry the bacteria in their throat. You can get Pneumococcal Pneumonia from respiratory droplets from the nose or mouth of an infected person. 

It is common for people, especially children, to carry the bacteria in their throats without being sick.

What are the symptoms?

These are some general symptoms:-

• High fever and chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing
• Chest pains
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches

There are many types of Pneumococcal disease. Symptoms and complications depend on the part of the body that is infected.

(1) Pneumococcal pneumonia (lung infection) is the most common serious form of pneumococcal disease. Symptoms include:

• Fever and chills
• Cough
• Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
• Chest pain

(2) Pneumococcal meningitis is an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include:

• Stiff neck
• Fever and headache
• Pain when looking into bright lights
• Confusion

In babies, meningitis may cause poor eating and drinking, low alertness, and vomiting.

(4) Pneumococcal bacteremia and sepsis are blood infections. Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Low alertness

(5) Pneumococcus bacteria causes up to half of middle ear infections (otitis media). Symptoms include:

• Ear pain
• A red, swollen ear drum
• Fever and sleepiness, sometimes

How to prevent Pneumococcal disease?

The best way to prevent Pneumococcal disease is by getting vaccinated. The pneumococcal vaccine is a shot that helps protect against some of the more than 90 types of pneumococcal bacteria.

Vaccination costs:
RM 200-RM 300

Source:

Aim For Broader Coverage (ABC)

MedicineNet
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Let's protect our children from Pneumococcal disease! Take action now!