Pneumonia is a common lung disease and there are several different bacteria, viruses as well as fungi that cause this condition. Pneumococcal pneumonia is a form of pneumonia that affects the upper respiratory tract. This infection can also spread to the other areas of lung, middle ear, nervous system and blood. This infection is largely seen in children and older adults. Those with existing medical conditions like chronic liver, lung or heart disease are at a greater risk of developing this condition. Likewise people whose immune system is compromised may also suffer from the condition.

Pneumococcal pneumonia may be preceded with a viral illness and the symptoms may include high fever, productive cough, rigors, pleural pain, sweating, malaise, tachypnea, dsypnea etc. On physical check up, physician can hear the rales in patients. Most patients also display dullness on percussion. Some signs of empyema/effusion may also be seen. The symptoms in school going or younger children may be different and include high fever, anorexia, abdominal pain along with distention, chest pain and a general ill appearance.

Caused by streptococcus pneumonia, pneumococcal pneumonia can also result in several other conditions like meningitis, sinus infection and bacteremia. There are as many as 500,000 cases of the condition and in as many as 175,000 cases hospitalization is required. This infection also causes as many as 40000 deaths each year. Around 70 percent of healthy individuals have pneumococcus in their nose as well as throats. Transmission largely occurs from one person to another by close contact, coughing or sneezing. The exact reasons for the bacteria invading the lungs and causing the disease are not known as yet.

In case of pneumococcal pneumonia, the infection may involve several parts of lungs called lobes. Among children as well as elderly individuals, the infection may also affect other parts of the lungs, though this infection may be mild. The diagnosis of the condition can be done based on examination of physical symptoms, lab tests, physical exam and chest X-ray. Once the bacteria are detected in the saliva, lung fluid or blood treatment for the condition can be started.

The treatment for pneumococcal pneumonia includes prescription of certain antibiotics like penicillin. Once treatment is started, the symptoms tend to subside in the initial 12 to 36 hours. However in recent times, there have been multiple cases of the S.pneumononiae bacteria resisting antibiotics. In 30 percent of pneumococcal pneumonia cases, the bacteria tend to invade the bloodstream resulting in a serious complication called bacteremia.

Current pneumococcal vaccine can be useful in preventing pneumococcal pneumonia. This vaccine is available for both adults as well as children. Individuals, 65 years of age or older should get this vaccine. Individuals having serious health issues like alcoholism, heart disease, lung disease should also take this vaccine. For children a specific pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has been developed and this helps in ensuring that babies and toddlers do not get the infection. It is important for patients to complete the course of medicines and to take plenty of rest.