Pneumococcal Disease

Description: An infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae that can be very severe.

Symptoms: Fever, chills, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate and weakness.

Complications: Meningitis, infections of the bloodstream, ear infections, pneumonia, deafness, brain damage in infants.

Transmission: Spread from person to person via droplet spread, or by direct oral contact or indirect contact with freshly soiled respiratory discharges.

Vaccine: Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV7) (Prevnar) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV-23) can prevent this disease.

Pictures:  CDC pictures / Immunization Action Coalition pictures.

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