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Pneumococci (Streptococcus pneumoniae) can cause many serious diseases. Typically, pneumococcal infection causes numerous complications, often life-threatening. Who is most at risk? What diseases does pneumococcus cause and what are their symptoms? Is pneumococcal vaccination effective?

Pneumococcus, otherwise known asStreptococcus pneumoniae,that ispneumonia diphtheria , is a gram-positive bacterium that has a coating on its surface polysaccharides, i.e. polysaccharides. It is this shell, which may have a different structure, that determines whether a pneumococcus belongs to a specific strain. The number of strains resistant to antibiotics is growing faster and faster (31%), which proves the "intelligence" of these microorganisms.

Why are pneumococci so dangerous? There are two reasons. First of all, they spread by airborne droplets - so it is enough for the host to sneeze or cough for the bacteria to attack other people. And because it likes the mucosa of the nose and throat, it easily penetrates further - e.g. into the lungs or the brain. Second, we are born with the gift of recognizing and combating (producing antibodies) only one strain of pneumococcus. When a bacterium from another strain enters the body, the immune system cannot defeat it and a disease develops - often pneumococcal, acutepneumonia

Contents:

    1. Pneumococcus - who are they attacking?
    2. Pneumococcal disease
    3. Pneumococcal pneumonia
    4. Pneumococcal causes otitis media
    5. Pneumococcal can cause sinusitis
    6. Vaccinations against pneumococci
    7. Pneumococcus: conjugate vaccine

Pneumococcus - who are they attacking?

We know about 90 types of bacteriaStreptococus pneumoniae , commonly known as pneumococcus. They cause many serious diseases. Those whose immune systems are not perfect are most at risk of becoming infected. First of all, small children, because they did not have time to develop immunity, and their respiratory system is less tight, so bacteria can easily penetrate the throat further. The elderly are also in danger because their bodies slow downregenerates, and the immune system is less able to cope with new challenges. Pneumococci often attack AIDS patients and HIV-positive people whose immune systems cannot cope with infections.

Pneumococcal disease

Pneumococci can cause many diseases. The most common infections, called invasive, are:

      • acute pneumonia
      • meningitis
      • bloodstream infection (bacteremia)
      • generalized blood poisoning (sepsis)

Develops slightly less:

      • appendicitis
      • arthritis
      • osteitis
      • osteomyelitis
      • inflammation of the salivary glands
      • cholecystitis
      • peritonitis
      • endocarditis
      • pericarditis
      • testicular inflammation
      • epididymitis
      • prostatitis
      • vaginitis
      • cervicitis
      • salpingitis

Less dangerous diseases include:

      • otitis media
      • sinusitis
      • conjunctivitis

Invasive diseases are treated in a hospital. Others usually at home.

Important

Treatment of pneumococcal infections should not be neglected, because the complications they cause may result in acute respiratory failure and, consequently, even death.

Pneumococcal pneumonia

It is estimated that around 1 million people worldwide die every year as a result of pneumococcal pneumonia. Nearly 40 percent cases are pneumonia in children and infants, as is the case in elderly patients with AIDS. Infection occurs when bacteria enter the lower respiratory tract through the nose or throat. The following symptoms then appear:

  • shortness of breath
  • fever with chills
  • coughing up a thick mucus
  • chest pain

In the course of pneumonia, fluid appears instead of air in the alveoli, which makes breathing difficult, i.e. gas exchange. Listening to the patient, the doctor hears characteristic murmurs. To confirm the diagnosis, he orders an x-ray. Usually, however, the patient's condition is so bad that immediate treatment is necessary. The most commonly used antibiotics with the so-called broad-spectrum, as pneumococci are not susceptible to all drugs.

Pneumococcal causes otitis media

Develops aftercolds. It usually affects children, although it can also happen in adults. In 80 percent. in cases it is necessary to administer a strong antibiotic. When the bacteria attack, the baby cries for no reason because the ear hurts. The hearing is also muffled. In young children, the first signal to parents should be rubbing the ear. Often, however, proper diagnosis is difficult, because the first symptom of the disease is diarrhea, vomiting or nausea. The child's malaise should lead us to visit a doctor. Untreated otitis can result in partial loss of hearing, including will significantly hinder the proper development of the child.

Pneumococcal can cause sinusitis

There is purulent discharge and a feeling of stuffy nose, headache, fever, impaired smell, bad breath and cough. Inflammation also exacerbates the symptoms of respiratory allergies and asthma. If it is not treated quickly, the disease becomes a chronic condition, which can lead to inflammation of the meninges or jawbone.

Vaccinations against pneumococci

In the past, such infections were successfully treated with penicillin antibiotics. Unfortunately, the number of strains resistant to this type of antibiotic has increased in the last 20 years. Many also do not react to macrolides, sulfanamides and tetracyclines.

Vaccination is the most appropriate way to fight pneumococci. The 13-valent vaccine is recommended for children. When given before the child is 2 years old, it gives 97 percent. protection against the 7 most dangerous strains of bacteria for approx. 15 years. The vaccine is well tolerated. Sometimes there is only swelling or redness at the injection site, fever up to 38 degrees C, agitation or drowsiness, lack of appetite. These ailments pass after a few days.

Adults are more resistant, but when the bacteria catch them, they cause pneumonia. It is therefore worth getting vaccinated against pneumococci, although the flu vaccine provides sufficient protection for middle-aged people, especially the elderly.

Pneumococcus: conjugate vaccine

Children over 2 years of age and seniors over 65 years of age are vaccinated with the polysaccharide vaccine. But the vaccine has little effect on the immune system, and the post-vaccination immunity is short-lived.

Vaccination is reimbursed by the state budget for children born after December 31, 2016. We will not pay for the 10-valent vaccine, but for the 13-valent vaccine recommended by specialists.

Recent studies have proven that the so-called conjugate vaccine gives much more effective protection. Its use is recommended for peopleover 65 years of age (suffering from heart, lung, diabetes), children over 2 years of age and adults with anemia, immunodeficiency or after spleen removal. The vaccine immunizes people for 10-15 years.

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Category:

Infectious diseases