Streptococcus pneumoniae infections are another name for pneumococcal infections.
The most typical types of pneumococcal infections are the following:
- Ear infections
- Sinus infections
- Pneumonia
- Sepsis
- Meningitis
SYMPTOMS OF PNEUMOCOCCAL INFECTION
The most frequent severe form of pneumococcal disease is pneumococcal pneumonia (lung infection), which can cause the following symptoms:
- Fever and chills
- Cough
- Breathing too quickly or laboriously
- Chest pain
Pneumococcalmeningitisis an infection of the spinal cord’s and brain’s protective tissue.
- Stiff neck
- Fever
- Headache
- Greater sensitivity to light in the eyes, or photophobia
- Confusion
Meningitis in children can result in vomiting, inability to eat or drink properly, and diminished alertness.
Pneumococcalbacteremiais an infection of the blood, and its signs include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Low alertness
Sepsisis a complication brought on by the body’s powerful and fatal reaction to an infection, which can cause death, organ failure, and tissue damage.
- Confusion or disorientation
- Shortness of breath
- High heart rate
- Shivering, having a fever, or being extremely cold
- Extreme pain or discomfort
- Clammy or sweaty skin
Up to 50% of cases ofmiddle ear infections(otitis media). Symptoms include:
- Ear pain
- A red, enlarged eardrum
- Fever
- Sleepiness
COMPLICATIONS OF PNEUMOCOCCAL INFECTION
MeningitisPneumococcal meningitis is the most severe form of invasive pneumococcal disease; in children under the age of 5, 1 in 15 of those who contract the infection pass away; elderly patients have a higher risk of dying from the condition; other long-term complications may include hearing loss or developmental delay.
About 1 in 100 children under the age of 5 who have this bloodstream infection pass away from it; elderly patients have a higher risk of passing away from pneumococcal bacteremia.
Pneumonia-Itis a lung infection that affects people of all ages and can result in mild to severe illness. Pneumococcal pneumonia complications include
- Empyema: An infection of the area between the membranes that cover the chest cavity and lungs
- Pericarditis, an infection of the sac that surrounds the heart
- Endobronchial obstruction causes the airway to the lungs to become blocked, causing the lungs to collapse (atelectasis), and a pus-filled space to form in the lungs (abscess).
Doctors consider pneumococcal pneumonia non-invasive if there is not concurrent bacteremia or empyema, but the mortality rate for non-invasive pneumococcal pneumonia is approximately 5 per 100, but it may be higher in elderly patients.
Sinusandear infectionsHowever, some children develop recurrent ear infections and may require ear tubes, even though they are typically mild and more prevalent than the more severe forms of pneumococcal disease.
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