Pneumococcal Pneumonia

PNEUMOCOCCAL PNEUMONIA bacteria can be spread from person to person. It makes up 50 to 80% of all
cases of pneumococcal disease in adults.

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a type of bacterial pneumonia that is caused by Streptococcus
pneumoniae (which is also called pneumococcus). It is the most common bacterial pneumonia found in adults,
the most common type of community-acquired pneumonia, and one of the common types of pneumococcal
infection. The estimated number of Americans with pneumococcal pneumonia is 900,000 annually, with
almost 400,000 cases hospitalized and fatalities accounting for 5-7% of these cases.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumococcal_pneumonia
YOU ARE AT AN INCREASED RISK of getting pneumococcal pneumonia/invasive pneumococcal disease if
you are – 50+ or 18+ with a risk factor

Some Risk Factors Include:
MEDICAL CONDITIONS

  • Chronic lung disease (including asthma and COPD)
  • Chronic heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Certain neurological conditions
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Cancer
  • Involving immunosuppression (e.g., transplants, HIV)

LIFESTYLE FACTORS

  • Smoking
  • Alcoholism
  • Living in long-term care facilities
  • COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • HIV = human immunodeficiency virus

THE SPREAD IS UNPREDICTABLE Streptococcus pneumonia can be present in your body without causing any
symptoms. Even though you may not show any symptoms, you can still infect others.
Like the flu, Streptococcus pneumonia can be passed on from person to person through – Coughing, Sneezing
and talking.

Things you can do to help reduce your risk of infection:
Practicing good hygiene

  • Wash your hands properly and often
  • Throw away used tissues
  • Don’t share cups or eating utensils with people who are sick
    • Stay away from people who are sick
    • Quitting smoking, if you smoke
    • Exercising and eating healthy to keep your immune system strong
    • Get your flu shot each year
    • Get your pneumococcal vaccination
    • Vaccines teach our bodies to recognize and respond to viruses and bacteria, by making
      products called antibodies that help fight the disease. Our immune system can remember and
      fight them if they attack in the future.

Talk to your pharmacist or family physician about your flu shot and pneumococcal vaccination to see what the
best solutions are recommended for you.

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