What is Pneumococcal Pneumonia?

Pneumococcal vaccines are type of vaccineagainst the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. Their use can prevent few cases of pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines: conjugate vaccines & polysaccharide vaccines.

The symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia can occur all of a sudden,basically  presenting as a major  chill later including a severe fever, cough, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and chest pains. Some symptoms such as vomiting, headache, nausea, fatigue, and muscle aches could also accompany the original symptoms. Chest X-rays will basically  show lobar consolidation or patchy infiltrates. Pneumococcal pneumonia is a major  infection of the lung,s which can be fatal, especially in the elderly or infants. Outbreaks of pneumococcal pneumonia are rare. When an outbreak does occur, it is basically  in adults living in gathering  substandard conditions.Pneumococcal infection is  widespread when an infected person communicate, coughs or sneezes small droplets including  infectious agents into the air. The droplets in the air may be breathed in by those surrounding. Infection may be spread by interacting with hands, tissues and other articles soiled by infected nose and throat discharges. Pneumococcal infections are more common during the winter and may be triggered by viral infections.

Signs and symptoms

Infections involve :-

• Lungs
• Middle ear
• Sinuses
• Bloodstream
• Meninges

Pneumococcal pneumonia

Symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia may include:

• Fever
• Chills and shaking
• Chest pain when breathing in or out
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Blood-stained or ‘rusty’ sputum (phlegm)
• Drowsiness or confusion are common symptoms in the elderly.