INFORMATION ON PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE

Pneumococcal disease causes high illnesses which affect various parts of the body and are caused by infection with the bacterium named pneumococcus, which can attack different parts of the body. When bacteria invade the lungs, they cause the most common form of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia; when bacteria invade the bloodstream, they cause bacteremia; and when they invade the covering of the brain, they cause meningitis. Pneumococci may also cause otitis media and sinusitis. Pneumococcal disease is also an important cause of pneumonia in adults 65 years of age or older, and the elderly are especially at risk of death from this disease. It is estimated to kill around one million people worldwide every year.

SYNONYMS OF PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE

Synonyms and related keywords:

1. Streptococcus pneumoniae.
2. Pneumococcus.
3. Upper respiratory tract disease.
4. Lower respiratory tract disease.
5. Upper respiratory disease.
6. Lower respiratory disease.

CAUSES OF PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE

Pneumococcal disease is caused by a common bacterium, the pneumococcus, which can attack different parts of the body. Bacterium enter in lungs and cause the most common form of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia; when bacteria invade the bloodstream, they cause bacteremia; and when they invade the covering of the brain, they cause meningitis. Pneumococcal disease refers to infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, also called the pneumococcus. The pneumococcus is also the most common bacterial cause of acute middle ear infections in children, the most frequent reason for pediatric office visits in the U.S.

SYMPTOMS OF PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE

Pneumonia Symptoms are:

1. Fever.
2. Difficulty in breathing.
3. Cough chest pain.
4. Loss of appetite.
5. Possibly excessive sleepiness.
6. Sleepiness or irritability.
7. Loss of consciousness.

DIAGNOSIS OF PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE

Depending on the symptoms, pneumococcal disease is diagnosed using a number of tests, including:

1. Physical examination.
2. Chest x-ray.
3. Phlegm test.
4. Blood test.
5. Urine test.
6. Cerebrospinal fluid test by lumbar puncture.

TREATMENT OF PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE

Treatment of mild infections can be done outside of the hospital using oral antibiotic drugs but severe infections require hospitalization and antibiotic drugs by vein.

Treatment options include:

1. Antibiotics such as penicillin.
2. Pain-killing medication.
3. Plenty of fluids.
4. Rest.
5. Hospitalisation in severe cases.