Pneumococcal Diseases

So, today, we are going to talk about Pneumococcal Disease!

How serious is Pneumococcal Disease?
It can be very serious! It may cause permanent hearing loss, brain damage and DEATH.

Who is at risk?

• Infants below 24 months of age
• Children with recent day-care attendance
• Infants or children with at least one recent course of antibiotics
• Infants or children with a history of recent ear infection
• Other groups at high risk include children with chronic disease or those who are immuno-compromised
• Infants or children exposed to passive smoking

What is it?
Pneumococcal diseases are infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus.
The pneumococcus bug can cause meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain or spinal cord), pneumonia (infection of the lung), bacteraemia (blood infection), as well as otitis media (infection in the middle ear).

How is it transmitted?
Streptococcus pneumoniae is transmitted from person to person and is commonly found in the nose and throat of healthy children and adults. The bacteria are transferred to another person via droplets of saliva or mucus, such as when a “carrier” sneezes, coughs, shares toys or kisses someone. While not all individuals will get sick, anyone in whom the bacteria have colonized is a carrier and can potentially infect others through airborne particles, such as those in sneezes or coughs or close contact.

How to treat it?
Meningitis and bacteraemia can develop very quickly so it is vital that treatment is provided without delay. Antibiotics are used to treat these diseases and are effective in most cases if started in time. However, a small number of bacteria are resistant to some antibiotics, which results in longer periods in hospital with greater cost.

How to prevent it?
It can be prevented by a series of vaccination (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine PCV) for your children.

How much does it cost?
It costs around RM280 - RM302 per injection at private clinics in Kuching. It depends on which clinic you visit.


The above information is taken from http://www.wyethaid.com.my. Please visit the website for more information.

Other sources:
Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov)
National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (www.infid.org)
WHO - Weekly Epidemiological record No.1; 2008;83:1 - 16 (www.who.int/wer)