When a parent of a toddler recently diagnosed with pneumococcal pneumonia asks why their child is so much sicker than a classmate was when they were diagnosed with pneumonia, the nurse replies, "It sounds like your child has a case of bacterial pneumonia, while the classmate had viral pneumonia."
What is Pneumococcal pneumonia?
Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria, Streptococcus pneumoniae that can attack different parts of the body.
When these bacteria invade the lungs, they can cause pneumonia; when they invade the bloodstream, they can cause sepsis; and when they invade the covering of the brain, they can cause meningitis. These serious conditions often require hospitalization, and can lead to death.
The bacteria can also cause milder common conditions like middle-ear infection (otitis media) and sinusitis.
Anyone can get pneumococcal disease, but some groups are at increased risk including:
- Children younger than age 2 years
- Adults over age 65 years
- Children and adults with certain medical conditions, including chronic heart disease, lung disease, kidney or liver disease, diabetes, or illnesses that weaken the immune system, such as HIV and certain cancers, among others
To learn more about Pneumococcal pneumonia: brainly.com/question/28071230
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