All adults who are older than 65 years of age and persons who are two years of age and older and at high risk for disease (e.g., sickle cell disease, HIV infection, or other conditions that weaken the immune system) should receive the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for all children less than 24 months old and for children between 24 and 59 months of age who are at risk of disease. These two vaccines provide protection against the most common types of Streptococcus pneumoniae. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccine that can prevent invasive Streptococcus pneuomoniae infections- the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Others at risk include alcoholics, diabetics, people with weakened immune systems and those without a spleen. Risk FactorsĪnyone can get pneumococcal disease, it occurs more frequently in infants, young children, the elderly or in people with serious medical conditions such as chronic lung, heart or kidney disease. Streptococcus pneumoniae is spread from person to person by inhaling or direct exposure to the bacteria droplets through coughing or sneezing from an infected person. Many people carry the bacteria in their nose and throat without becoming ill. Other symptoms may include headache, cough, chest pain, disorientation, shortness of breath, weakness, and occasionally a stiff neck. Symptoms generally include an abrupt onset of fever and shaking or chills. It is considered invasive when it is found in the blood, spinal fluid or other normally sterile sites (sites where it is not commonly found). It can also cause meningitis (inflammation of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord) or sinus infections. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of middle ear infections, sepsis (blood infection) in children and pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals and the elderly. The bacteria can sometimes cause severe illness in children, the elderly and other people with weakened immune systems.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacteria that is commonly found in the nose and throat.

Bacterial phenomena symptoms