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What
is pneumococcal disease?
Pneumococcal disease is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus
pneumoniae. Several infections are included in the
term pneumococcal disease, including pneumonia (inflammation
of the lungs), bacteremia (the presence of bacteria
in the blood), and meningitis (inflammation of the
membranes around the brain and spinal cord). Pneumococcal
disease is a leading cause of illness in young children
and causes illness and death in the elderly and
in persons with certain underlying medical conditions
Who
is at increased risk?
A number of factors help identify those people
at high risk for pneumococcal disease. They include:
> 65 years of
age or older
> HIV/AIDS
> Chronic illness
> Diabetes
> Heart disease
> Lung disease
> Kidney disease
> Sickle cell
disease
> Liver disease
(e.g., cirrhosis)
> Asplenia (no
functioning spleen)
> Hodgkins disease
> History of alcoholism
> Condition associated
with an impaired immune system
> Resident of
a chronic care or long-term care institution
Is
pneumococcal disease treatable?
Through the 1980s, penicillin was commonly used
to treat pneumococcal infections. Unfortunately,
by the 1990s, certain types of pneumococcal bacteria
were able to withstand the effects of some antibiotics,
including penicillin. As the bacteria continue
to develop resistance to additional antibiotics,
pneumococcal disease is becoming increasingly
difficult to treat.2Pneumococcal disease is caused
by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. Several
infections are included in the term pneumococcal
disease, including pneumonia (inflammation of
the lungs), bacteremia (the presence of bacteria
in the blood), and meningitis (inflammation of
the membranes around the brain and spinal cord).
Pneumococcal disease is a leading cause of illness
in young children and causes illness and death
in the elderly and in persons with certain underlying
medical conditions.
Can
it be prevented?
Fortunately, vaccines are available to help
prevent pneumococcal disease. Most people need
to get pneumococcal vaccine only once. You can
get pneumococcal vaccine at any time of the year.
Ask your doctor about pneumococcal vaccine today!
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