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How To Identify Pneumococcal Diseases In Kids?

Pneumoccal Infection

Pneumococcal diseases claim the lives of 1 million children annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). These infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/pneumonia">pneumonia</a>e, also known as pneumococcus. These pneumococci are transmitted by direct contact with respiratory secretions from patients and healthy carriers. Serious pneumococcal infections include pneumonia, meningitis febrile bacteremia, otitis media, sinusitis and bronchitis are more common but less serious manifestations. Pneumococcal resistance to antimicrobials is a serious and rapidly increasing problem worldwide.

In India, IPD is a leading cause of mortality among children under five, accounting for 14% of deaths in this age group. A UNICEF study estimates that pneumococcal infections result in 0.105 million deaths of children under five each year in India. WHO further highlights that India contributes 36% of the total clinical pneumonia burden in the South-East Asia region.

While children under five, particularly those under two, are the most vulnerable, pneumococcal diseases also affect adults. In 2018, the incidence of pneumococcal disease in India was 31.3% among adults aged 60 and older, 22.7% in those aged 44–60, and 13.9% in adults aged 18–44. Risk factors include compromised immunity, malnutrition, poverty, air pollution, and exposure to indoor smoke.

<h2>Here's How You Can Identify Pneumococcal Diseases (As Per CDC)</h2>

Symptoms of pneumococcal disease depend on the part of the body that's infected. Generally, the symptoms are similar to other bacterial infections in that part of the body. Here is a breakdown of symptoms of major Pneumococcal Diseases. 

Symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia, a lung infection, include:

<ul><li>Chest pain</li><li>Cough</li><li>Fever and chills</li><li>Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing</li><li>Older adults may experience confusion or low alertness</li></ul>

Symptoms of pneumococcal meningitis, an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, include:

<ul><li>Confusion</li><li>Fever</li><li>Headache</li><li>Photophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light)</li><li>Stiff neck</li><li>In babies, meningitis may cause poor eating and drinking, low alertness, and vomiting.</li></ul>Bacteremia (bloodstream infection)

Symptoms of pneumococcal bacteremia, a bloodstream infection, include:

<ul><li>Chills</li><li>Fever</li><li>Low alertness</li></ul>

<ul><li>A red, swollen eardrum</li><li>Ear pain</li><li>Fever</li><li>Sleepiness</li></ul>

<ul><li>Bad breath</li><li>Cough</li><li>Facial pain or pressure</li><li>Headache</li><li>Post-nasal drip (mucus dripping down the throat)</li><li>Runny or stuffy nose</li><li>Sore throat</li></ul>

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Vaccination provides protection against pneumococcal infections, preventing complications like pneumonia and meningitis, especially in children under two. It helps the immune system recognize and combat bacteria effectively. According to WHO, two classes of pneumococcal vaccines are currently available, one based on polysaccharides and the other based on polysaccharides conjugated to a carrier protein. The polysaccharide vaccine consists of purified capsular polysaccharides from the 23 serotypes causing about 90% of invasive pneumococcal infection in industrialized countries. Responses are age-dependent and serotype-dependent.

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Pneumococcal diseases claim the lives of 1 million children annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). These infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus. These pneumococci are transmitted by direct contact with respiratory secretions from patients and healthy carriers. Serious pneumococcal infections include pneumonia, meningitis febrile bacteremia, otitis media, sinusitis and bronchitis are more common but less serious manifestations. Pneumococcal resistance to antimicrobials is a serious and rapidly increasing problem worldwide. In India, IPD is a leading cause of mortality among children under five, accounting for 14% of deaths in this age group. A UNICEF study estimates that pneumococcal infections result in 0.105 million deaths of children under five each year in India. WHO further highlights that India contributes 36% of the total clinical pneumonia burden in the South-East Asia region.While children under five, particularly those under two, are the most vulnerable, pneumococcal diseases also affect adults. In 2018, the incidence of pneumococcal disease in India was 31.3% among adults aged 60 and older, 22.7% in those aged 44–60, and 13.9% in adults aged 18–44. Risk factors include compromised immunity, malnutrition, poverty, air pollution, and exposure to indoor smoke.Here's How You Can Identify Pneumococcal Diseases (As Per CDC)Symptoms of pneumococcal disease depend on the part of the body that's infected. Generally, the symptoms are similar to other bacterial infections in that part of the body. Here is a breakdown of symptoms of major Pneumococcal Diseases. PneumoniaSymptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia, a lung infection, include:Chest painCoughFever and chillsRapid breathing or difficulty breathingOlder adults may experience confusion or low alertnessMeningitisSymptoms of pneumococcal meningitis, an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, include:ConfusionFeverHeadachePhotophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light)Stiff neckIn babies, meningitis may cause poor eating and drinking, low alertness, and vomiting.Bacteremia (bloodstream infection)Symptoms of pneumococcal bacteremia, a bloodstream infection, include:ChillsFeverLow alertnessEar InfectionSymptoms of ear infections include:A red, swollen eardrumEar painFeverSleepinessSinus InfectionSymptoms of sinus infections include:Bad breathCoughFacial pain or pressureHeadachePost-nasal drip (mucus dripping down the throat)Runny or stuffy noseSore throatALSO READ: Can Pea Protein Help You Gain Muscle?Why Should You Take Vaccines? Vaccination provides protection against pneumococcal infections, preventing complications like pneumonia and meningitis, especially in children under two. It helps the immune system recognize and combat bacteria effectively. According to WHO, two classes of pneumococcal vaccines are currently available, one based on polysaccharides and the other based on polysaccharides conjugated to a carrier protein. The polysaccharide vaccine consists of purified capsular polysaccharides from the 23 serotypes causing about 90% of invasive pneumococcal infection in industrialized countries. Responses are age-dependent and serotype-dependent.ALSO READ:How Effective Are Push-Pull Workouts For Quick Weight Loss?