What is pneumococcal disease?This is a general term for any infection caused by bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, such as pneumonia, meningitis, etc. Bacteria are spread when respiratory secretions, such as saliva or mucus, travel through the air during a cough or sneeze and are then inhaled.
this Streptococcus pneumoniae It’s particularly deadly in the lungs, causing pneumococcal pneumonia, the most common type of pneumonia in the United States. An estimated 150,000 people are hospitalized with the disease each year, and 1 in 20 people infected die.
The mortality rate from pneumococcal pneumonia is high, “especially in people over 65,” even when taking appropriate antibiotics, said Dr. Gregory Polish, the center’s director. vaccine research group From the Mayo Clinic. One reason: As we age, our immune system becomes less able to fight off infections.
However, research shows that the pneumococcal vaccine, which is recommended for adults over 65 and people with certain health conditions, may help reduce the chance of getting the disease or lessen its severity if vaccinated, and may prevent hospitalization or even die.
That in itself is good reason to get vaccinated as soon as you become eligible. Five more:
1. It’s flu season
Flu season is approaching, and experts are predicting it will be a tough year. That’s important because “pneumococcal pneumonia can be caused by other viral infections, especially influenza,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
Here’s how it works: The flu virus attaches to and infects cells in the nose, the back of the throat, and the mucous membranes of the nose. Typically, cells expel infectious pathogens from the body through the nose or mouth, or a person simply swallows them. However, when weakened by influenza, the cells in these membranes allow bacteria to enter the bronchi and cause secondary infections in the lungs.
The infection inflames the alveoli, causing them to fill with pus and fluid, making it difficult to breathe and triggering a host of unpleasant symptoms.
2. Helps prevent serious infections throughout the body
The lungs are not the only part of the body that is susceptible to pneumococcal infection. These pathogens can also invade other parts of the body.
“Bacterial infections are inherently destructive—they are microorganisms that invade the body,” said Dr. Ian Neal, associate professor and medical director of the Division of Geriatrics and Geriatrics at UC San Diego Health. “If left untreated, or if they are part of a particularly virulent strain, they often stick to specific locations, such as the lungs. If they spread too far, they can penetrate other surrounding tissue and enter the bloodstream. Once Entering the bloodstream, they can spread throughout the body and can have catastrophic consequences.”
It may have more serious consequences. Pneumococcal infection can cause sepsis, an aggressive inflammatory response that can ultimately lead to organ failure and death. Less commonly, the infection crosses the brain barrier and causes meningitis.
3. Maybe it can protect the heart
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the country, but the pneumococcal vaccine may be protective against cardiovascular events in adults.
A meta-analysis of 18 studies (more than 700,000 participants) shows that pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) protects vaccinated people against certain cardiovascular events, particularly heart attacks, especially in people 65 and older People over 20 years old.
“One thing we know about bacteria that cause inflammation in the body, such as pneumococcal and influenza organisms, is that inflammation can persist for some time even after we recover from acute illness and put us at greater risk for illness .Heart attack,” Schaffner explained.
4. Maybe it’s good for the brain
More research is needed, but promising research suggests the pneumococcal vaccine may also be associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease. A team of Duke University researchers examined the medication records of more than 5,000 adults aged 65 and older to determine whether there was an association between pneumococcal vaccination and Alzheimer’s disease risk.
They found that people who received the pneumococcal vaccine between the ages of 65 and 75 had a 40% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life. The results were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2020, along with other studies that also show the flu vaccine may reduce the risk of dementia.
“Vaccination against pneumococcal disease before age 75 may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease later in life, depending on (genetic profile),” study author Svetlana Ukraintseva said in a press release. “These data suggest that pneumococcal vaccination may be a promising candidate for personalized prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, especially for patients who do not carry certain risk genes.”
5. Pneumonia strikes quietly
Many people, especially children, have this bacteria in their noses or throats but don’t show any symptoms because their immune systems prevent the bacteria from spreading to other parts of the body. However, they can still spread the disease to others. Additionally, symptoms of pneumonia (such as fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing up phlegm or mucus) can easily be confused with an ongoing cold or flu episode. However, unlike a cold or the flu, pneumococcal pneumonia usually requires antibiotic treatment.