How does pneumococcal disease spread

Children at increased risk for pneumococcal disease include those younger than 2 years old and those with:. Adults of all ages are also at increased risk for pneumococcal disease if they have:. Adults who smoke cigarettes are also at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.

People spread pneumococcal bacteria to others through direct contact with respiratory secretions, like saliva or mucus.

Many people, especially children, have the bacteria in their nose or throat at one time or another without being ill. Learn about Symptoms and Complications. They may prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics immediately, before finding out exactly which bacteria are involved, as waiting may be dangerous.

If tests show what bacteria are causing the problem, the doctor may then change the antibiotics to target the specific microbe. Depending on how severe the infection is, a person must take these either by mouth or intravenously IV. Growing antibiotic resistance means that some antibiotics no longer work for some people and some conditions, and so a doctor may prescribe a combination of antibiotics.

There are different types of pneumococcal disease. The impact of these diseases depends on their type and the health of the person it affects. Some of these diseases can be mild and pass without treatment, or they may become serious and life-threatening. Treatment is with antibiotics, but vaccination is essential for preventing many types of pneumococcal diseases in children, older people, and those with weakened immune systems.

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What is pneumococcal disease? Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. Types Diagnosis Risk factors How does it spread? Prevention: Vaccination Treatment Takeaway Pneumococcal disease is a common and often mild infection, but it can sometimes result in serious health problems.

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