WHAT IS
PNEUMOCOCCAL PNEUMONIA?
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What is pneumococcal pneumonia?
Did you know there is more than one type of pneumonia?
Although pneumonia always means an infection of the lungs, there are actually many different types. Two of the most common are viral and bacterial.
The most common type of bacterial pneumonia is pneumococcal pneumonia.
Pneumococcal pneumonia can be serious.
Symptoms can come on quickly and can include cough, fatigue, high fever, shaking chills, and chest pain with difficulty breathing.
Some symptoms, such as fatigue can last weeks or longer.
In severe cases, pneumococcal pneumonia can lead to hospitalisation or even death. Symptoms and severity may vary.
Pneumococcal pneumonia is not a cold or flu. Flu and colds are caused by viruses.
In some cases, the bacteria that cause pneumococcal pneumonia can cause your lung to fill up with mucus, making it hard to breathe.
The bacteria that cause pneumococcal pneumonia can be spread through coughing or close contact.
It can strike anywhere, anytime — and may hit quickly and without warning.
It’s not just old and unhealthy people who are at risk for pneumococcal pneumonia.
If you are 70 or older, you may be at increased risk for pneumococcal pneumonia, even if you are otherwise healthy.
That’s because as you get older your immune system becomes less able to respond to infections.
You may also be at increased risk if you have certain risk conditions.
Help protect yourself. If you’re 70 or older, or have medical risk conditions, ask your doctor how you can help protect yourself against pneumococcal pneumonia.
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Here's how it happens.
Pneumococcal pneumonia is caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae
It can spread from person to person through coughing or close contact
If the bacteria reach the lungs, they can cause some of the air sacs to become inflamed and fill with fluid
This can lead to chest pain, coughing, difficulty breathing and could potentially put you in the hospital
Pneumonia is an infection in your lungs. It is caused by different germs, usually bacteria or a virus and sometimes fungi.1 Our lungs are made up of lots of little air sacs (alveoli). Pneumonia causes these to become inflamed and fill with fluid and pus, making it harder to breath.1,2
In general, your body prevents these germs from reaching the air sacs in your lungs. But if your body is not able to fight off the germs - you can get pneumonia. Such as when your immune system is weakened or during a bout of cold or the flu.1,2
Pneumonia can be spread from person to person through physical contact, coughing and sneezing.1,2
You're at higher risk if you're...
Unsure about your risk?
True or False?
You can get pneumococcal pneumonia anywhere, anytime.
True
False
True
That's right, you can get pneumococcal pneumonia anywhere, anytime.
That's because the bacteria that cause pneumococcal pneumonia can spread from person to person through coughing or close contact. You should also know that the symptoms can occur suddenly and without warning and can even put you in the hospital.
False
The truth is, you can get pneumococcal pneumonia anywhere, anytime.
That's because the bacteria that cause pneumococcal pneumonia can spread from person to person through coughing or close contact. You should also know that the symptoms can occur suddenly and without warning and can even put you in the hospital.
References
- Pneumonia. Health Direct. Pneumonia - causes, symptoms and treatments | healthdirect Accessed Sep 8, 2023.
- Pneumonia. Lung Foundation Australia. Pneumonia - Lung Foundation Australia Accessed Sep 8, 2023.