Ask most parents about pneumococcal diseases and their response back will most likely be “Pneumo-what?” This is
because although the medical community have been long aware of these diseases, not many parents are aware of
these highly contagious diseases that spread among children through sneezing or coughing.
These diseases are most common among children (especially those aged less than 2 years old) – and can be very serious. They are more common among children as compared to adults because children have weaker immune systems and do not have the right anti-bodies to combat the bacteria. These diseases can cause permanent brain damage, permanent hearing loss or even death. Throughout the world, more than one 1,000,000 children die each year as a result of pneumococcal disease [2].
It is generally difficult to diagnose pneumococcal diseases because its symptoms may be similar to the symptoms of the common cold. Doctors normally suspect pneumococcal diseases based on monitoring exhibited symptoms and confirm pneumococcal diseases through specific laboratory tests on spinal fluid, blood or sputum.
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Pneumococcal diseases are actually diseases caused by infections from the Streptococcus Pneumoniae bacteria,
commonly known as Pneumococcus. The pneumococcus bacteria cause infections that lead to the following diseases –
meningitis, bacteraemia, pneumonia and otitis media.
There are currently more than 90 known types of the pneumococcus bacterium and the 10 most common of these types account for about 60% of the pneumoccal diseases worldwide [1]. Each year, in the United States alone, there are about 175,000 hospitalizations due to pneumococcal pneumonia; 50,000 cases of bacteremia; 3,000 to 6,000 cases of meningitis; and about 6000 deaths [1]. |
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Each year, in the United States alone, there are about 175,000 hospitalizations due to
pneumococcal pneumonia; 50,000 cases of bacteremia; 3,000 to 6,000 cases of meningitis; and about 6000 deaths
[1].
Throughout the world, more than one 1,000,000 children die each year as a result of pneumococcal disease [2].
Throughout the world, more than one 1,000,000 children die each year as a result of pneumococcal disease [2].
These diseases are most common among children (especially those aged less than 2 years old) – and can be very serious. They are more common among children as compared to adults because children have weaker immune systems and do not have the right anti-bodies to combat the bacteria. These diseases can cause permanent brain damage, permanent hearing loss or even death. Throughout the world, more than one 1,000,000 children die each year as a result of pneumococcal disease [2].
It is generally difficult to diagnose pneumococcal diseases because its symptoms may be similar to the symptoms of the common cold. Doctors normally suspect pneumococcal diseases based on monitoring exhibited symptoms and confirm pneumococcal diseases through specific laboratory tests on spinal fluid, blood or sputum.
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