Once infected by the pneumococcus bacteria, pneumococcal diseases like meningitis or bacteraemia can develop very
quickly in the patient. Mild forms of pneumococcal diseases like ear infections (Otitis Media) in healthy people
may resolve without requiring any treatment. However, more serious forms of pneumococcal diseases like Meningitis
or Bacteraemia will require antibiotics and often require hospitalization.
Antibiotics like penicillin are primarily used to treat pneumococcal diseases. These antibiotic treatments are most effective when started early in the infection. However, in recent years, a small number of pneumococcal strains have grown resistant to some antibiotics (especially the more commonly used ones) and result in longer and more expensive periods of hospitalizations for treatment. Alternative therapies may also need to be applied in cases where the antibiotic treatments do not progress.
These resistant strains of the pneumococcus bacteria have added emphasis on the use of vaccination to prevent pneumococcal diseases.
Antibiotics like penicillin are primarily used to treat pneumococcal diseases. These antibiotic treatments are most effective when started early in the infection. However, in recent years, a small number of pneumococcal strains have grown resistant to some antibiotics (especially the more commonly used ones) and result in longer and more expensive periods of hospitalizations for treatment. Alternative therapies may also need to be applied in cases where the antibiotic treatments do not progress.
These resistant strains of the pneumococcus bacteria have added emphasis on the use of vaccination to prevent pneumococcal diseases.
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