Can pneumococcal disease be prevented with vaccines?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am trying to understand pneumococcal diseases better. My 86-year-old grandfather was affected by it last year. It took him months to recover fully and now my mom is saying we should learn more about it because it is common in older people.

The following are some of my concerns-

What exactly causes this condition?
Are other parts of the body affected other than the lungs?
How effective are the vaccines?
How do you know if anyone is affected by this condition?
Are there different types of pneumococcal disease?

Kindly help me get a clear picture of this condition.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Pneumococcal disease is an infection that affects the lungs. This infection can be caused by bacteria (Pneumococcal), viruses (influenza), and even fungi. It can affect both the young and the elderly.

The risk factors of this condition are-

Overcrowding.
Cold weather.
Contact with sick people.
People working in the hospitals.
Smoking and alcohol intake.
Individuals with diabetes, sickle cell disease, and autosplenectomy.

Symptoms include:

Productive cough in less than two weeks.
Fever.
Difficulty in breathing.
Oxygen saturation is less.
The patient is feeling very sick.

Treatment:

If the condition is severe, the patient will be managed in the hospital with oxygen and use of antibiotics. In case of an invasive infection, the infection can spread to the brain and heart, causing further complications.

Various vaccines are available including-

Pneumococcal vaccines for adults and children.
Influenza vaccine.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.