What diseases does pneumococcus cause?
The spectrum is wide - from mild to life-threatening conditions. Most often, the bacterium ascends the auditory tube and causes acute otitis media in children or passes into the paranasal sinuses, causing sinusitis. When it enters the lower respiratory tract, pneumonia develops, usually with a clear picture: high fever, chills, cough, pain in the side when breathing. The most dangerous are invasive forms, when the bacterium enters the blood and causes sepsis, and also penetrates the membranes of the brain with the development of purulent meningitis. Such forms are more common in the youngest, the elderly, and people without a spleen.
- Acute otitis media in children
- Sinusitis
- Community-acquired pneumonia
- Exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and COPD
- Purulent meningitis
- Sepsis and invasive forms
How it is transmitted and who is at risk
Transmission occurs by airborne droplets and through hands, and the source is often a healthy carrier, especially a child attending kindergarten. Carriage in itself is not a disease and does not require treatment. The risk of getting sick increases after influenza and other viral infections that damage the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, as well as with smoking, chronic lung and heart diseases, diabetes, alcoholism, a removed spleen and taking drugs that suppress the immune system. Old age and the first two years of life are independent risk factors for severe disease.
- Airborne transmission and hand contact
- Carriage in preschool children
- Past influenza and ARVI as a provoking factor
- Smoking and chronic lung diseases
- Diabetes mellitus, heart and kidney diseases
- Absence of the spleen and immunodeficiencies
Symptoms
Pneumococcal pneumonia usually begins acutely: a sharp rise in temperature with chills, a cough that becomes wet after a day or two, chest pain when taking a deep breath, shortness of breath and severe weakness. In older people, the picture is blurred: the temperature is low, and confusion, weakness and a drop in blood pressure come to the fore. With otitis, the child complains of pain in the ear, sleeps poorly and touches the ear with his hand, and in children there may only be anxiety and refusal to eat. Meningitis causes severe headache, vomiting, photophobia, and neck stiffness.
- High temperature with chills
- Cough, sometimes with rusty sputum
- Pain in the side when breathing and coughing
- Shortness of breath and rapid breathing
- Ear pain and hearing loss due to otitis media
- Confusion in the elderly
- Headache and vomiting due to meningitis
Diagnostics
If pneumonia is suspected, the main examination remains a chest x-ray: it confirms the inflammation and shows its extent, as well as complications, such as fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity. A complete blood count and C-reactive protein help assess the nature and severity of inflammation. Culture of sputum and blood makes it possible to determine the pathogen and its sensitivity to antibiotics, which is especially important in severe cases and ineffective initial therapy. If meningitis is suspected, a lumbar puncture is performed, and for otitis media, an examination by an otolaryngologist is required.
- Chest X-ray in two projections
- Complete blood count and C-reactive protein
- Sputum culture with sensitivity testing
- Blood culture in severe cases
- Pulse oximetry to assess oxygen saturation
- Examination by an otolaryngologist for otitis media and sinusitis
Treatment and prevention
The basis of treatment is antibiotics, selected by a doctor taking into account the severity, age and concomitant diseases; Self-selection of medications promotes resistance and delays recovery. The course must be completed completely, even if it becomes easier after two days. Additionally, drinking plenty of fluids, taking antipyretics if you have poor temperature tolerance, and quitting smoking are also important. Severe pneumonia, low blood oxygen saturation, advanced age and confusion are indications for hospitalization. Prevention includes vaccination against pneumococcus in children on a calendar basis and in adults at risk, as well as an annual flu shot, which reduces the likelihood of bacterial complications.
- Full course of antibiotics as prescribed by a doctor
- Drink plenty of fluids and take antipyretics if necessary
- Oxygen therapy and infusions in the hospital
- Hospitalization in severe cases and in risk groups
- Vaccination against pneumococcus
- Annual flu shot
- Quitting smoking