Saturday, May 27, 2006
Pneumococcal Diseases
Pneumococcal Diseases
The pneumococcus, a type of bacteria in the Streptococcus family (Streptococcus pneumoniae), is responsible for several types of diseases in adults and in children. In developing countries, pneumococcus is linked to high infant and child mortality rates. Even in more industrialized nations, pneumococcal diseases are common in adults and children. These diseases can lead to severe illness and even death, despite being preventable in many cases. The April 12, 2006, issue of JAMA includes an article about pneumococcal diseases and the beneficial effect of pneumococcal vaccination in infants and children.
TYPES OF PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE
Meningitis (infection of the covering membranes of the brain and spinal cord)
Pneumonia (infection of the lungs)
Otitis media (middle ear infection)
Sinusitis (infection of the sinus cavities behind the face)
Bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream)
Sepsis (a serious bloodstream infection that can be fatal)
Meningitis can lead to permanent neurological damage or death. In adults and older children, it presents with fever, a stiff neck, fatigue, and headache. In infants, these signs may be absent, and the infant may only display fussiness, lethargy, and inability to feed. Individuals with pneumonia usually have shortness of breath, high fever, a cough, fatigue, and chest pains. Meningitis and sepsis are the most life-threatening pneumococcal diseases. Individuals with meningitis or sepsis must receive rapid diagnosis and treatment to prevent severe multiple organ failure and death.
TREATMENT
Early diagnosis of pneumococcal infection is crucial to receiving proper antibiotic treatment. Some strains of pneumococcus have developed resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Laboratory testing is needed to determine proper therapy. Supportive therapy such as oxygen, intravenous fluids, surgical drainage, or even life support in an intensive care unit may be required in severe cases of pneumococcal infection.
PREVENTION
Young children (aged 2 months to 24 months) should receive a special type of vaccine called the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine against pneumococcus. It is specifically formulated for effectiveness in infants and younger children.
Any person who has had a splenectomy (removal of the spleen) should have the pneumococcal vaccine.
The polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine should be considered for individuals older than 65 years and for those older than 2 years who have chronic diseases.
Frequent handwashing is important for preventing the spread of pneumococcal diseases, as well as other bacterial and viral infections.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Additional information available:
Patient Page Index on JAMA's Web site .
Many are available in English and Spanish. A Patient Page on meningitis in children was published in the April 28, 1999, issue; one on diagnosing and treating pneumonia was published in the February 9, 2000, issue; and one on fever in infants was published in the March 10, 2004, issue.
Sources: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; American Academy of Family Physicians; American Academy of Pediatrics
The JAMA Patient Page is a public service of JAMA. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific information concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA suggests that you consult your physician.
This page may be photocopied noncommercially by physicians and other health care professionals to share with patients. To purchase bulk reprints, call 203/259-8724
JAMA Patient Page - April 12, 2006
The pneumococcus, a type of bacteria in the Streptococcus family (Streptococcus pneumoniae), is responsible for several types of diseases in adults and in children. In developing countries, pneumococcus is linked to high infant and child mortality rates. Even in more industrialized nations, pneumococcal diseases are common in adults and children. These diseases can lead to severe illness and even death, despite being preventable in many cases. The April 12, 2006, issue of JAMA includes an article about pneumococcal diseases and the beneficial effect of pneumococcal vaccination in infants and children.
TYPES OF PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE
Meningitis (infection of the covering membranes of the brain and spinal cord)
Pneumonia (infection of the lungs)
Otitis media (middle ear infection)
Sinusitis (infection of the sinus cavities behind the face)
Bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream)
Sepsis (a serious bloodstream infection that can be fatal)
Meningitis can lead to permanent neurological damage or death. In adults and older children, it presents with fever, a stiff neck, fatigue, and headache. In infants, these signs may be absent, and the infant may only display fussiness, lethargy, and inability to feed. Individuals with pneumonia usually have shortness of breath, high fever, a cough, fatigue, and chest pains. Meningitis and sepsis are the most life-threatening pneumococcal diseases. Individuals with meningitis or sepsis must receive rapid diagnosis and treatment to prevent severe multiple organ failure and death.
TREATMENT
Early diagnosis of pneumococcal infection is crucial to receiving proper antibiotic treatment. Some strains of pneumococcus have developed resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Laboratory testing is needed to determine proper therapy. Supportive therapy such as oxygen, intravenous fluids, surgical drainage, or even life support in an intensive care unit may be required in severe cases of pneumococcal infection.
PREVENTION
Young children (aged 2 months to 24 months) should receive a special type of vaccine called the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine against pneumococcus. It is specifically formulated for effectiveness in infants and younger children.
Any person who has had a splenectomy (removal of the spleen) should have the pneumococcal vaccine.
The polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine should be considered for individuals older than 65 years and for those older than 2 years who have chronic diseases.
Frequent handwashing is important for preventing the spread of pneumococcal diseases, as well as other bacterial and viral infections.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Additional information available:
Patient Page Index on JAMA's Web site .
Many are available in English and Spanish. A Patient Page on meningitis in children was published in the April 28, 1999, issue; one on diagnosing and treating pneumonia was published in the February 9, 2000, issue; and one on fever in infants was published in the March 10, 2004, issue.
Sources: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; American Academy of Family Physicians; American Academy of Pediatrics
The JAMA Patient Page is a public service of JAMA. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific information concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA suggests that you consult your physician.
This page may be photocopied noncommercially by physicians and other health care professionals to share with patients. To purchase bulk reprints, call 203/259-8724
JAMA Patient Page - April 12, 2006
# posted by Pat O'Connor @ 4:52 AM 
