What is pneumococcal disease?
Pneumococcal disease is any illness caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus. Pneumococcus can cause many types of infection:
- Pneumonia (lung infection)
- Meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)
- Bacteremia (bloodstream infection)
- Otitis media (middle ear infection)
- Sinusitis (sinus infection)
What are the symptoms of pneumococcal disease?
The symptoms of pneumococcal disease depend on the part of the body that's infected.
How is pneumococcal disease spread?
Pneumococcus can be spread when respiratory secretions containing the bacteria enter the environment through coughing or sneezing, and other people come into contact with the secretions. However, pneumococcus can live in the nose and throat of healthy children and adults without causing disease.
Who gets pneumococcal disease?
Anyone can get pneumococcal disease. People at highest risk are very young children and adults over age 50 years. People of any age who have certain chronic medical problems and people with weakened immune systems are also at high risk for pneumococcal disease.
Is pneumococcal disease dangerous?
Yes, it can be. Pneumococcal disease is one of the most common causes of vaccine-preventable death in this country, killing thousands of people in the United States each year. Pneumococcal infection is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia and is also a leading cause of meningitis and bacteremia.
How is pneumococcal disease treated?
Pneumococcal disease is treated with antibiotics. People with more severe cases may need to be treated in the hospital, sometimes in intensive care.
Are there effective vaccines available to prevent pneumococcal disease?
Yes, there are safe and effective vaccines designed to prevent pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal vaccines are the best way to protect against serious pneumococcal infections. CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for people based on their age or if they have certain risk conditions.
Who should get pneumococcal vaccine?
MA Department of Public Health and CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for:
- Children
- All children younger than 5-years-old
- Children 5 through 18-years-old with certain risk conditions
- Adults
- All adults 50 years or older
- 19 through 49-years-old with certain risk conditions
Where can I get more information?
- Your doctor, nurse, clinic, pharmacist and your local board of health are good sources of information about pneumococcal disease and vaccines.
- CDC| Pneumococcal Disease
- CDC| Pneumococcal Disease and Preventive Vaccines in Adults
- CDC Pneumococcal Vaccines