Streptococcus Pneumoniae is responsible for causing pneumonia in vast majority of the population. This notorious bacterium not only infects the upper respiratory tract but also spread to the other organs of the body such as blood, lungs, or nervous system.

Pneumonia caused by Streptococcus Pneumoniae is known as Pneumococcal Pneumonia.

Risk Factors of Pneumococcal Pneumonia

There are certain individuals who are at high risk for Pneumococcal Pneumonia.

•                    Children younger than 5 years

•                    Old and adults above 65 years of age

•                    Individuals with associated medical conditions like chronic heart, lung, or liver diseases

•                    Individuals with sickle cell anaemia

•                    People with HIV/AIDS

•                    Individuals with organ transplants

•                    Individuals who take immune-compromising medications

Causes of Pneumococcal Pneumonia

The Pneumococcal Pneumonia is caused by wide range of infectious agents including viruses, bacteria, and even fungi.

•                    Streptococcus pneumoniae

Transmission of Pneumococcal Pneumonia

You should be aware of various ways by which Pneumococcal Pneumonia can be transmitted.

•                    By getting in touch with sick people

•                    By individuals who carry bacteria in their throat

•                    By respiratory droplets from the nose/mouth of infected person

•                    From children who carry bacteria in their throats

Symptoms of Pneumococcal Pneumonia

The onset of the symptoms of Pneumococcal pneumonia is immediate when the patient experiences severe shaking chill followed by common symptoms of Pneumonia.

•                    High fever

•                    Pain in the chest

•                    Breathe Shortness

•                    Cough

•                    Rapid breathing

Other symptoms includes Nausea, Muscle aches, Headache, Tiredness and Vomiting.

Diagnosis of Pneumococcal Pneumonia

The diagnostic tests for Pneumococcal Pneumonia include the following.

•                    Physical exam

•                    Laboratory  tests

•                    Chest x-ray

•                    Blood Test

•                    Saliva Test

•                    Lung fluid Test

Treatment of Pneumococcal Pneumonia

The treatment of pneumococcal pneumonia is done by using antibiotics and patients can get symptomatic improvement within 12 to 36 hours after taking medicine.

•                    Patient is asked to drink plenty of fluids including juices, water, tea, lemonade, etc.

•                    Oxygen is usually used in hospitalised patient with breathing problems

•                    Use of humidified air helps in loosening the mucus

•                    Patient may take aspirin, NSAIDs, for controlling fever. However, Aspirin should not be given to children.

•                    Patient is advised to take plenty of rest.

•                    Chest therapy is used for loosening the mucus so that it can be expelled out by deep coughing.

Complications of Pneumococcal Pneumonia

The complications of Pneumococcal Pneumonia lead to the following severe conditions.

•                    Bacteraemia

•                    Lung problems

•                    Heart problems

Prevention of Pneumococcal Pneumonia

The prevention of Pneumococcal Pneumonia can be done by taking care of following points.

•                    Practice a healthy lifestyle

•                    Avoid smoking

•                    Avoid contact with infected people

•                    Maintain good hygiene

•                    Avoid contact with people infected with measles or chickenpox

•                    Vaccinations