Pneumococcal disease

Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae (also called ‘pneumococcus’). It may cause middle ear infection, pneumonia, meningitis (inflammation of the coverings of the brain and spinal column) or bacteremia (a bloodstream infection), as well as other infections.

Number of cases of pneumococcal disease in England

What the WHO says about worldwide cases of pneumococcal disease

Incubation period

1-3 days

Symptoms

Vary depending on the type of infection

Possible complications

Vary depending on the type of infection

About pneumococcal disease

Pneumococcal diseases are symptomatic infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. The term invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is used for more severe pneumococcal infections where the bacteria has invaded parts of the body that are usually germ-free.

IPD can cause:

  • Bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream)
  • Sepsis (an extreme and sometimes fatal response to infection by the immune system)
  • Meningitis (an infection of the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord)
  • Osteomyelitis (a bone infection)

Pneumococcal infections can also cause pneumonia, sinusitis (a sinus infection) and otitis media (an infection of the middle ear).

Pneumococcal disease symptoms

Pneumococcal disease can cause a variety of different infections, each with different symptoms.

Symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia, for example, include fever and chills, a cough, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, and chest pain.

Pneumococcal meningitis includes symptoms such as a stiff neck, fever, headache, light sensitivity, and confusion.

A blood infection like bacteremia might cause fever, chills and low alertness.

Sepsis may present with confusion or disorientation, shortness of breath, a high heart rate, a fever/shivering/feeling very cold, extreme pain or discomfort, and clammy or sweaty skin.

Possible complications

Most pneumococcal infections are mild but some can have long-term complications or even be fatal. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital.

You should call your GP, request an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E straight away if you think you or your child might have a pneumococcal infection.

Pneumococcal disease FAQs

Pneumococcal disease includes a wide range of infections caused by different types of pneumococcus bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae). There are over 90 different types of these bacteria, and vaccines have been produced to protect against the types that cause the most disease.

Pneumococcus is spread by airborne or direct exposure to respiratory droplets from a person who is infected or carrying the bacteria.

Before widespread immunisation, one child in every 200 was admitted to hospital with pneumococcal pneumonia before the age of five.

Today, pneumococcal disease is still a leading cause of serious illness worldwide. However, it is notable that the number of children dying from pneumonia decreased by almost two-thirds between 1990 and 2017.

Currently, around 19 in every 100,000 infants contract IPD. Premature babies are more at risk of contracting pneumococcal disease (accounting for 49 out of 100,000 infants) and infants born before 28 weeks gestation have the highest incidence (150 out of 100,000).

IPD is rarely a problem in children over five years of age.

FIND OUT EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE VACCINATION HERE

Pneumococcal disease can be difficult to diagnose because it shares symptoms with other illnesses and progresses rapidly. If a GP suspects pneumococcal disease, they will refer the patient to the hospital so that blood samples or cerebrospinal fluid (via a lumbar puncture in the spine) can be collected and sent to a laboratory for testing.

It is also possible to use a urine test to check for pneumococcal pneumonia in adults. Ear and sinus infections are diagnosed based on a history and physical exam findings that support pneumococcal infection.

Doctors use antibiotics to treat pneumococcal disease. However, available data shows that the bacteria are resistant to one or more clinically-relevant antibiotics in more than 30% of infections.

As a result, treatment usually begins with “broad-spectrum” antibiotics until antibiotic sensitivity can be tested. At this point, a more targeted “narrow-spectrum” antibiotic may be introduced.

It’s important to trust your instincts and react quickly if you suspect someone has pneumococcal disease. Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E if you think you or your child might be seriously ill.

Individual advice about protecting your child against pneumococcal disease

Need advice about vaccinating your child against pneumococcal disease? The BabyJabs clinicians are here to listen and answer your questions to help you decide.