[Knowledge: Baby] Pneumococcal Disease

What is Pneumococcal Disease?

Pneumococcal diseases are infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus.

For Wikipedia definition, click here.

It is a group of serious infections that occurs most commonly in children, particularly those under 2 years of age.

The pneumococcus bug can cause:
i. meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain or spinal cord)
symptoms: fever, lethargy or drowsiness, vomiting and stiff neck or legs

ii. pneumonia (infection of the lung)
symptoms: cough, chest congestion, production of phlegm, fever and chills/shaking

iii. bacteraemia (blood infection)
symptoms: fever, irritability and rapid breathing

iv. otitis media (infection in the middle ear)
symptoms: ear-ache, fever and frequent tugging of the ear

How Serious is Pneumococcal Disease?

Pneumococcal disease can be very serious and may cause permanent hearing loss, brain damage and death.

Pneumococcal disease can impact the quality of life for a child and the entire family. Just think of the time spent nursing an ill child, the trips to the doctor, absence from work, even getting a young child to take medication can be time consuming. If the child requires hospitalization, the burden and the worry can be even greater.

Risk Factors fir Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Infants and Young Children

Some groups are at particularly high risk:

• Infants below 24 months of age
• Recent day-care attendance
• At least one recent course of antibiotics
• History of recent ear infection
• Other groups at high risk include children with chronic disease or those who are immuno-compromised
• Passive smoking

How do Children Catch Pneumococcal Disease?

The pneumococcal bug is carried in the nose and throat of healthy adults and children. It can be passed from one child to another in droplets that are released into the air by sneezing and coughing.

Most children become carriers at some time or other - but not all will become sick.

Pneumococcal disease is more common in young children than adults because young children lack the right type of antibodies to fight the bacteria.

How Do You Treat and Prevent Pneumococcal Disease?

Meningitis and bacteraemia can develop very quickly so it is vital that the treatment is provided without delay.

Antibiotics are used to treat these diseases and are effective in most cases if started in time.

However, a small number of bacteria are resistant to some antibiotics, which results in longer periods in hospital with greater cost. Pneumococcal disease can be prevented by a series of vaccination for your children.

The Benefits of Vaccination Against Pneumococcal Disease

Vaccination can help prevent the disease as well as reduce the spread of bacteria to other children. Vaccination may also reduce antibiotic resistance. Vaccination against pneumococcal disease can save lives!

Source by Malaysian Paediatric Association (Persatuan Pediatrik Malaysia)