Most people are clueless about pneumococcal diseases. Many have not heard of the disease yet it is a serious threat to young children and the elderly. Many parents would dismiss the symptoms as pneumococcal diseases can sometimes display symptoms, which are similar to other common ailments such as flu or common cold. Pneumococcal disease is a serious disease not to be trifled with. It is a leading cause of serious ailments around the world. Young children below the age of 5 and the elderly above the age of 65 are most susceptible to pneumococcal diseases. As a parent, you should learn about this disease as data have shown that children below the age of two are at the highest risk developing severe cases of pneumococcal diseases.
Pneumococcal disease is caused by a common bacterium, the pneumococcus. This is the leading cause of pneumococcal death around the world. The pneumococcus bacterium is perhaps the most serious cause of disease in early infancy. Serious respiratory infections kill approximately 2.6 million young children under the age of 5 around the world each year. Of these, it is estimated that the pneumococcus bacterium causes over one million deaths. When the pneumococcus bacterium attacks the lungs, it causes bacterial pneumonia. The bacterium also attacks other part of the body. When it enters the blood, it causes bacteremia or bloodstream infection. When the brain is attacked, it causes meningitis or brain infection. Pneumococcus can also attacks the ear and nasal tissues, causing otitis media or middle ear infection. Another common ailment is sinusitis caused when the bacterium attacks the sinus membranes.
It can be difficult to differentiate between the symptoms of a common cold or flu and pneumococca; disease. If your child is not responding well to treatment for cold or flu, you should consult a doctor. Especially if your child is breathless and distressed. Other symptoms include lethargy, chest pain, ear pain, dizziness, vomitting, headaches, neck pain and loss of appetite.
Pneumococcal vaccination is the best mean of reducing the chances of infection. With the prevalence of the pneumococcus bacterium and the severe ailments it can cause for young children, it is advisable for parents to vaccinate their children as early as possible. This is particularly important as many children attend playgroups and childcare at a young age, increasing the risk of exposure. With vaccination, not only are the children protected, but also the rest of the household, especially the elderly who are also at great risk.
