Pneumonia

Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, sometimes referred to as pneumococcus. Pneumonia, is an infection of the lungs. Many different bacteria, viruses, and even fungi can cause pneumonia. Pneumococcus is one of the most common causes of severe pneumonia.

Anyone can get pneumococcal disease, but some people are at greater risk for disease than others. Being a certain age or having some medical conditions can put you at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.

Children at Risk for Pneumococcal Disease

Children at increased risk for pneumococcal disease include those:

Younger than 2 years old
In group child care
Who have certain illnesses (sickle cell disease, HIV infection, diabetes, immune compromising conditions, nephrotic syndrome, or chronic heart, lung, kidney, or liver disease)
With cochlear implants or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks (escape of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord)

Adults at Risk for Pneumococcal Disease

If you’re at increased risk for pneumococcal disease, talk to your doctor about which pneumococcal vaccines you need and when.

Adults 65 years or older are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.

Some adults 19 through 64 years old are also at increased risk for pneumococcal disease, including those:

With chronic illnesses (chronic heart, liver, kidney, or lung [including chronic obstructive lung disease, emphysema, and asthma] disease; diabetes; or alcoholism)
With conditions that weaken the immune system (HIV/AIDS, cancer, or damaged/absent spleen)
With cochlear implants or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks (escape of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord)
Who smoke cigarettes

Pneumococcal bacteria spread from person-to-person by direct contact with respiratory secretions, like saliva or mucus.

The best way to prevent pneumococcal disease is to get the vaccine(s). There are two types of vaccines :

1. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13 or Prevnar 13®) protects against the 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria that cause most of the severe illness in children and adults.

PCV13 is for all children at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months old, for adults 19 years or older with certain medical conditions and for all adults 65 years or older.

2. The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23 or Pneumovax 23®) protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria.

This vaccine is for all adults 65 years or older. It is also recommended for children and adults 2 through 64 years old who are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.