Facts About Pneumococcal
Disease For Adults
What is
pneumococcal disease?
Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by a type of
bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. When
these bacteria invade the lungs, they cause the most
common kind of bacterial pneumonia and can then invade the
bloodstream (bacteremia) and/or the tissues and fluids
surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). The
infection kills thousands of people in the United States
each year, most of them under two years of age or over 65
years of age.
Symptoms
The symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia include high fever,
cough with production of mucus, shaking chills,
breathlessness, and chest pain that increases with
breathing and coughing. Changes in level of consciousness
or the presence of confusion are symptoms commonly found
in older adults. However, these symptoms are not always
evident. The symptoms of pneumococcal meningitis include
stiff neck, fever, mental confusion and disorientation,
and photophobia (visual sensitivity to light). The
symptoms of pneumococcal bacteremia may include a
combination of the symptoms of pneumonia and meningitis,
along with arthritis and fever.
Prevention
There is a vaccine to protect against pneumococcal
disease. The vaccine is safe and effective. A single dose
of the pneumococcal vaccine protects against the 23
different types of Streptococcus pneumoniae
bacteria that are responsible for causing greater than 90%
of all pneumococcal disease cases.
Who should get
pneumococcal vaccine?
Vaccine Safety
The pneumococcal vaccine is safe and effective in
preventing illness and death due to pneumococcal disease.
Some people have experienced mild side effects, but these
are usually minor and last only a short time. When side
effects do occur, the most common include swelling and
soreness at the injection site. A few people experience
fever and muscle pain. As with any medicine, there are
very small risks that serious problems could occur after
getting a vaccine. However, the potential risks associated
with pneumococcal disease are much greater than the
potential risks associated with the pneumococcal vaccine.
You cannot get pneumococcal disease from the vaccine.
FACT:
Pneumococcal disease can be prevented with a safe,
effective vaccine.
FACT:
You cannot get pneumococcal disease from the vaccine.
FACT:
Pneumococcal vaccine is fully covered by Medicare Part B
if the healthcare provider accepts the Medicare-approved
amount.
FACT:
Pneumococcal vaccine can be given at any time during the
year.
FACT:
Pneumococcal vaccine can be given at the same time as
influenza vaccine.
FACT:
Each year in the United States, pneumococcal disease
accounts for an estimated 500,000 cases of pneumonia
(infection of the lungs), 60,000 cases of bacteremia
(bloodstream infection), and 3,300 cases of meningitis
(inflammation of the tissues and fluids surrounding the
brain and spinal cord).
FACT:
Pneumococcal pneumonia accounts for up to 175,000
hospitalizations each year, and is the most common type of
bacterial pneumonia in persons 65 years of age or older.
FACT:
Pneumococcal disease is to blame for up to 40,000 deaths
each year in the United States. Approximately 50% of these
deaths can be prevented through the use of the
pneumococcal vaccine.
FACT:
Together, pneumonia and influenza are the seventh leading
cause of death in the United States, and the fifth leading
cause of death among people 65 years of age and older.
FACT:
Estimates find that only 54% of adults 65 years of age or
older, and 8% to 10% of adults in high-risk groups who
should get the pneumococcal vaccine, have received it.
FACT:
A single dose of pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for
most persons aged 65 years or older. Some people who were
younger than 65 when they received the pneumococcal
vaccine may need one booster dose after 5 years.
| For
additional information on Pnuemococcal Disease please visit the
Center for Disease Control website
at
http://www.cdc.gov/ |
|
|
|
Chouteau County Department of
Public Health
1020 13th Street
Fort Benton, Montana 59442
Phone: 406-622-3771
