What is pneumococcus?
Pneumococcus is a bacterium, Streptococcus pneumoniae, that can cause a range of diseases, including pneumonia, otitis media, sinusitis, bacteremia, and meningitis. In more severe cases, pneumococcal infection can be invasive and life-threatening.
What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs in which the air sacs may fill with fluid or pus, making breathing difficult and reducing oxygen intake. Pneumonia can be caused by various microorganisms, including bacteria, and one of the most common bacterial causes is pneumococcus.
Who can develop pneumococcal pneumonia?
Anyone can develop pneumococcal pneumonia, including people who take good care of their health in everyday life. However, some groups are at higher risk. Increased risk is seen in young children, older adults, especially those over 65, as well as people with certain medical conditions or weakened immune systems.
Risk groups
people over 65 years of age;
young children;
people with cardiovascular diseases;
people with diabetes;
people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
people with conditions that weaken the immune system.
What are the symptoms of pneumonia?
Pneumonia symptoms may develop gradually or appear more suddenly. They often resemble influenza or another respiratory infection, but overall well-being usually worsens significantly. The most common symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia are cough, fever and chills, chest pain, as well as rapid or difficult breathing. Older adults may also experience confusion or decreased alertness.
Most common symptoms:
high temperature;
sweating and chills;
cough, often with phlegm;
chest pain;
rapid or difficult breathing;
pronounced weakness and fatigue;
sometimes bluish lips or nail beds due to lack of oxygen.
Even after treatment, fatigue and weakness may persist for some time, and returning to a normal daily routine may take time. This is understandable, as pneumonia can be a serious and exhausting illness. This is a clinically logical conclusion based on the course of the disease and the nature of the symptoms, although the exact recovery time varies from patient to patient.
How does pneumococcus spread?
Pneumococcus spreads mainly through respiratory secretions during close contact. The bacterium can be transmitted both by a sick person and by a carrier without pronounced symptoms.
How can the risk of pneumococcal pneumonia be reduced?
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of pneumococcal disease. Authoritative sources indicate that vaccination is especially important for children, older adults, and people at increased risk. Management of chronic diseases and timely consultation with a doctor when respiratory symptoms appear are also important.
Pneumococcal vaccine
Pneumococcal vaccines help protect against severe pneumococcal diseases. There are different types of vaccines, and the most appropriate option is determined by a doctor after evaluating age, chronic illnesses, previously received vaccines, and other risk factors. According to the CDC’s 2026 recommendations, pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for children under 5 years of age, adults aged 50 and older, as well as children and adults at increased risk.
If the illness is caused by bacteria, antibiotics may be used for treatment. However, some groups of bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, which makes prevention and vaccination especially important.
Pneumococcal vaccines are available at all “Veselības centrs 4” vaccination offices.