Pneumococcal Disease in Children and Adults
Victoria Yang
Anatomy and Physiology 009, Utpal Smart Pneumococcal disease is an infection that can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infection, or meningitis and is caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus pneumonia. The bacteria is spread through coughing or sneezing, or through direct contact such as kissing. Older people are most likely to die from pneumococcal disease, but younger adults with certain health conditions are also at increased risk for severe illness and death (Facts about Pneumococcal Disease for Adults 2014). Streptococcus pneumonia are bacteria frequently found in the upper respiratory tract of healthy children and adults. Although the rates are lower among nonelderly adults, …show more content…
A chest x-ray is the most specific way to diagnose pneumonia. Healthcare providers can also diagnose many cases by using a stethoscope and/or observing a child’s respiratory rate and breathing patterns (Pneumococcal Disease 2014). There are two safe and effective vaccines recommended to protect adults against pneumococcal disease; a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) and a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) (Facts about Pneumococcal Disease for Adults 2014). The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends both PCV13 and PPSV23 for all adults age 65 years and older and adults age 19 to 64 years with conditions or treatments that affect the immune system (Facts about Pneumococcal Disease for Adults …show more content…
Overuse of antibiotics lead to increased resistance and threatens the effectiveness of existing therapy, which in turn increases the cost of treatment by requiring the use of more expensive antibiotics. New, lifesaving pneumococcal vaccines are safe and highly effective in preventing illnesses and death due to pneumococcal disease. Some people experience mild side effects, but the most common is swelling and soreness at the injection site (Facts about Pneumococcal Disease for Adults 2014). Since 2000, when U.S. infants starting receiving routine vaccinations against pneumococcal disease, the country has nearly eliminated childhood pneumococcal disease caused by vaccine serotypes – groups of microorganisms that are extremely closely related, but can be distinguished by having slightly different antigens or causing the body to produce slightly different antibodies (Pneumococcal Infection 2015). In addition, vaccination of infants has reduced the spread of pneumococcal bacteria so that adults have less contact with pneumococci and are indirectly protected from pneumococcal disease (Pneumococcal Disease