PID occurs when the pneumococcus moves from colonizing the upper respiratory tract to colonizing sites that are normally sterile, such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid or pleural cavity fluid-filled space surrounding the lungs. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines available: conjugated polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine PCV and non-conjugated polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine PPSV. Both vaccines are designed to elicit immune responses against multiple serotypes of pneumococcus, which are defined by the different immune responses to the sugars found on the bacterial surface.
While there are two types of pneumococcal vaccines available, for children under two years old only the conjugated i. PCV vaccines are recommended because the non-conjugated versions i. PPSV are not effective at such a young age. Several studies have attempted to estimate how many lives PCV vaccination has saved and could possibly save.
The majority of these deaths would have been caused by pneumonia, but the vaccine also prevented deaths from pneumococcal meningitis and other diseases. It is based on a recent study published in The Lancet Global Health journal, which calculated that if the PCV vaccine coverage would reach at least the levels of the vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis DTP3 , the lives of , children under 5 could be saved.
These number estimate the impact of the PCV vaccination relative to a world without that vaccine — since the vaccine is already used it means that some of these lives are already being saved by the PVC vaccination. PCV vaccines are amongst the most expensive vaccines in national immunisation programmes. But given the high burden of pneumococcal diseases, even at high prices, PCV vaccines are considered to be cost-effective, with an estimated return of investment in low- and middle-income countries of around 3.
PCV vaccines include a limited subset of possible pneumococcal serotypes. The distribution of pneumococcal serotypes is known to vary between countries and PCV vaccines include the ones that are most common globally. However, not all countries collect data on serotype distribution, and an assessment of the potential impact is therefore compromised.
This suggests that, by reducing the prevalence of vaccine-included serotypes, the vaccine unintentionally provides space for non-vaccine serotypes, against which it works less well. In the future, new versions of pneumococcal vaccines may be needed that work better independently of the bacterial serotype. Such vaccines are already in development. Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that can be caused by multiple microbial pathogens.
By far the most common cause of pneumonia in unvaccinated children is an infection by a bacterium called Streptococcus pneumoniae , simply referred to as pneumococcus.
Other pathogens which cause pneumonia in children are Haemophilus influenzae type b, respiratory syncytial virus RSV , and the influenza virus. Children can contract pneumonia in a number of ways. Pneumococcus and H. Under circumstances when the conditions in the upper respiratory tract are compromised 52 these normally benign bacteria may move to the lower respiratory tract where they lead to pneumonia.
Pneumonia caused by bacterial and viral pathogens can be contagious and transmitted when a person coughs or sneezes. However, precautions such as sanitizing hands and surfaces, wearing a face mask if available and limiting close contact with a sick person can significantly limit the chances of transmission.
Summary Pneumonia is the leading cause of death for children under 5 — more than , children died due to pneumonia in The global mortality rates for older people remained unchanged since Mortality from pneumonia is highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. The greatest risk factors for developing pneumonia are undernutrition, air pollution and smoking. Reducing exposure to risk factors and higher coverage of pneumococcal vaccines can reduce the number deaths from pneumonia. Research suggests that pneumococcal vaccines could be saving the lives of almost , children annually.
Estimates that refer to pneumonia might also include cases of other lower respiratory diseases. Burden of pneumonia. Click to open interactive version. Unlike other bacterial pneumonias, Legionella is not passed from person to person.
Outbreaks of the disease have been linked to exposure to contaminated water from cooling towers, whirlpool spas, and outdoor fountains. Viruses Viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract may also cause pneumonia.
Fungi Fungal pneumonia is most common in people with chronic health problems or weakened immune systems, and in people who are exposed to large doses of certain fungi from contaminated soil or bird droppings. This fungus is found in Southern California and the desert Southwest. It is the cause of valley fever. This fungus is found in the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys.
This fungus is found throughout the United States in bird droppings and soil contaminated with bird droppings. Previous: Learn About Pneumonia. Next: Pneumonia Symptoms and Diagnosis. Make a Donation Your tax-deductible donation funds lung disease and lung cancer research, new treatments, lung health education, and more. Make a Donation. Sign Up for Email Updates Join over , people who receive the latest news about lung health, including COVID, research, air quality, inspiring stories and resources.
They usually get better on their own. Other treatment may include eating well, increasing fluid intake, getting rest, oxygen therapy, pain medicine, fever control, and maybe cough-relief medicine if cough is severe. Check with your healthcare provider about getting immunizations. The flu is a common cause of pneumonia. Because of that, getting a flu shot every year can help prevent both the flu and pneumonia. There is also a pneumococcal vaccine.
It will protect you from a common form of bacterial pneumonia. Children younger than age 5 and adults ages 65 and older should get this shot. The pneumococcal shot is also recommended for all children and adults who are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease due to other health conditions.
Most people with pneumonia respond well to treatment, but pneumonia can be very serious and even deadly. You are more likely to have complications if you are an older adult, a very young child, have a weakened immune system, or have a serious medical problem like diabetes or cirrhosis.
Complications may include:. Acute respiratory distress syndrome ARDS. This is a severe form of respiratory failure. Lung abscesses. These are pockets of pus that form inside or around the lung. They may need to be drained with surgery. Respiratory failure. This requires the use of a breathing machine or ventilator. This is when the infection gets into the blood. It may lead to organ failure. The main types of pneumonia are bacterial, viral, and mycoplasma pneumonia.
A cough that produces green, yellow, or bloody mucus is the most common symptom of pneumonia. People often have small amounts of germs in their nose and throat that can be passed on through:. The pneumococcal vaccine protects against Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. Find out more about who should have the pneumococcal vaccine. The pneumococcal vaccine is usually given as part of the routine NHS child vaccination schedule.
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