What is pneumococcus?
Pneumococcus is a bacterium that is one of the most common causes of severe bacterial infections in infants and young children throughout the world. Severe infections include meningitis (an infection of the lining for the brain and spinal cord), bloodstream infections (also known as sepsis) and pneumonia (an infection of the lungs). Pneumococcus is also a common cause of ear and sinus infection.
What is my child’s risk of getting infected with pneumococcus?
People spread pneumococcal bacteria to others through direct contact with respiratory secretions, like saliva or mucus.
The pneumococcal vaccine was first used in the United States in the year 2000. Before the vaccine, every year pneumococcus caused about 1,400 cases of meningitis, 17,000 cases of bloodstream infections, 70,000 cases of pneumonia, and about 5 million ear infections in young children. Because of the pneumococcal vaccine, the numbers have declined.
What are the symptoms of pneumonia in children?
Symptoms of pneumonia in children include high fever, rapid or difficult breathing, cough with phlegm or pus that may last for weeks, chest or stomach pain. Other lesser symptoms include chills, headache, vomiting, loss of appetite, tiredness, weakness, nausea.
Symptoms usually start off like the flu and gradually worsen over a few days.
When is the Pneumococcal vaccine given?
The CNC recommends that the Pneumococcal vaccine be given to all children under 5 years old and children 5-18 with certain risk conditions. All adults 50 years and older and adults 19-49 with certain risk conditions. The number and timing of the doses depends on the person’s age, medical history and prior pneumococcal vaccinations.
Does the Pneumococcal vaccine cause any reactions?
The pneumococcal vaccine can cause mild pain, redness and tenderness at the site of the injection, as well as mild fever.