Streptococcus Pneumoniae

Organism, Causative Agent, or Etiologic Agent

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal) invasive disease is caused by a type of bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Transmission

The bacteria Streptococcus pneumonia, can be found in many people’s noses and throats and is spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing, or coming into contact with respiratory secretions.

Symptoms

Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause both invasive (such as a meningitis or a blood stream infection) and non-invasive diseases (such as pneumonia). Only invasive disease is reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Symptoms of Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal) invasive disease can be different depending on the type of infection the disease has caused. The symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Symptoms of pneumococcal meningitis include stiff neck, fever, mental confusion and disorientation, and visual sensitivity to light. The symptoms of pneumococcal bacteremia (infection in the bloodstream) may be similar to symptoms of pneumonia and meningitis and may also include joint pain and chills.

Complications of Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal) invasive disease can result in long-term problems like brain damage, hearing loss, limb loss, and death.

The following groups of people are at high risk for invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae:

• children younger than 2 years old,
• children in group child care settings,
• people who are 65 years old and older,
• people with weak immune systems due to cancer, leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• people with long-term or chronic illnesses such as lung, heart, and kidney disease, diabetes, or sickle cell disease,
• people without a functioning spleen,
• people with alcoholism,
• residents of long term care facilities

Prevention

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and polysaccharide vaccine can assist in preventing infection from Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Maintaining healthy habits like getting plenty of rest and not coming into close contact with people who are sick can also help prevent infection. Using good health practices such as covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and washing your hands frequently with soap and water can also help stop the spread of the bacteria.

Recent Texas Trends

For the past five years th numbers of Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal) invasive disease cases for Texas have ranged from 901 reports in 2006 to 1,912 reports in 2010.  On average, we expect approximately 1,600 cases to be reported every year.  Most cases (57%) have occurred in people who are 50 years old or older.