What Health Experts Want You to Know About Pneumococcal Pneumonia

(StatePoint) Pneumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious illness caused by bacteria called pneumococcus. The illness can disrupt a person’s life for weeks, and when severe, can result in hospitalization. In fact, an estimated 225,000 adults are hospitalized with pneumococcal pneumonia each year in the United States.

The American Lung Association, in partnership with Pfizer, is educating people about pneumococcal pneumonia and encouraging people who are eligible to get vaccinated. Here’s what they want you to know:

Pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common type of bacterial pneumonia. Pneumococcal pneumonia is a lung infection and the most common type of bacterial pneumonia. Anyone can get pneumococcal pneumonia any time of the year. Infection does not protect individuals from getting sick from the disease again – you can get pneumococcal pneumonia more than once.

Symptoms can be severe. Common symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia include fever, chills, coughing, difficulty breathing or rapid breathing, and chest pain. Some symptoms can appear quickly and without warning. Pneumonia can cause airway blockage, collapsed lungs, pockets of pus in the lungs and infection around the lungs in severe cases.

Pneumococcal vaccination can help protect people. Vaccination is recommended for all adults 50 and older, as they are at six times greater risk for pneumococcal pneumonia than adults 18-49, according to data from Optum’s Clinformatics Data Mart between 2016-2019. As people age, the immune system naturally weakens, which leads to reduced protection against infections. Pneumococcal vaccination is also recommended for adults aged 19-49 with certain underlying medical conditions or other risk factors, including: chronic lung disease like asthma and COPD, chronic heart disease, diabetes and smoking cigarettes.

People can get vaccinated at any time of year, so those at increased risk should discuss pneumococcal vaccination with a healthcare provider. Even if they have received pneumococcal vaccination in the past, their healthcare provider may recommend additional vaccination, depending on the type or timing of vaccination previously received. Having influenza (flu) increases the risk of getting pneumococcal disease so protection against both influenza and pneumococcal disease is important during flu season.

Get the facts about pneumococcal pneumonia, along with additional tips to protect yourself, at Lung.org/pneumococcal.

While pneumococcal pneumonia can be serious and even life-threatening, vaccination can be an effective way for eligible individuals to reduce risk.

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