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Streptococcus pneumoniae is a Gram-positive, encapsulated, lancet-shaped diplococcus.

It is a major cause of pneumonia, meningitis, bacteremia, and otitis media.

Found in the human respiratory tract, often harmless until the immune system is weakened.

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Pneumonia:

inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, potentially causing them to fill with fluid or pus

Meningitis:

Infection of the meninges (brain and spinal cord coverings).

Otitis Media

Middle Ear Infection

Sinusitis:

Infection of the sinuses

Bacteremia and Sepsis:

Spread of bacteria into the bloodstream.

Bronchitis (in some cases):

Inflammation of the bronchial tubes

Mode of Transmission:

Person-to-person via respiratory droplets colonized in the nasopharynx

Risk Factors:

Weakened immune system

Young children (<2 years old)

Elderly (>65 years old)

Chronic diseases (like diabetes, heart disease, lung disease)

Smoking and alcohol abuse

Recent respiratory viral infections

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Pneumonia:

Symptoms: sudden fever, chills, productive cough with rusty sputum, chest pain.

Meningitis:

Symptoms: headache, neck stiffness, photo phobia, confusion, seizures.

Otitis Media:

Especially common in young children.

Symptoms: ear pain, fever, irritability

Bronchitis (in some cases):

cough and mucus production.

Sinusitis:

congestion, facial pain, headache

Bacteremia and Sepsis:

Symptoms: fever, chills, low blood pressure, organ dysfunction.

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Treatments Management: Pneumonia, Meningitis, Bacteremia / Sepsis

Conservative Medications: Oral Antibiotics, Antivirals, Antifungals, Cough suppressants, Pain / Fever reducers, Breathing treatments, Nasal sprays

Aggressive Therapy: Inpatient hospitalization care of Oxygen Therapy , IV fluids / antibiotics, Draining of fluids, Organ therapy support

Treatment Course: Treatment can be as short as 5-7 days for non-complicated viruses and infections to greater than 14-21 day depending on the complexity and aggressiveness of the progression of the virus or bacteria

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Preventions:

1. Vaccination (Most Effective Strategy)

-Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13)

_ Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV23)

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2. Public Health Measures

>Hygiene Practices:

Frequent handwashing.

Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

Use of masks in crowded settings during outbreaks.

>Smoking Cessation:

Quitting smoking significantly reduces pneumococcal disease risk.

>Reduce Alcohol Abuse:

Alcohol impairs immune function, increasing infection risk.

>Manage Chronic Diseases:

Good control of conditions like diabetes, asthma, and heart disease lowers vulnerability.

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Microbiology

Type: Gram-positive, encapsulated, facultative anaerobe.

Shape: Lancet-shaped diplococci (appear in pairs).

Culture: Grows best on blood or chocolate agar; shows α-hemolysis (green discoloration).

Capsule: Over 90 different capsular serotypes; the capsule is anti-phagocytic and essential for virulence.

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Streptococcus pneumoniae (also called pneumococcus) is a type of bacterium that can live in your nose and throat without causing problems — but sometimes, it becomes harmful and causes serious infections. It is normally found in the upper respiratory tract and can be carried with and without symptoms. Symptoms can vary from a headache, cough, fever to altered mental status; that is why is extremely important to medical attention to decrease the spread. This pathogen can be spread throughout the body and cause illness of various degrees such as simple ear and sinus infections to pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis or lead to death in worse cases. Streptococcus Pneumoniae can effect all persons from infancy to geriatric; especially the vulnerable : small children less than 2, immune compromised, chronically ill, substance abuse users and the elderly within long term care facilities. It is vital that all eligible persons take precautions by getting routinely vaccinated, attending regular wellness check ups, having proper hygiene, diet and a healthy lifestyle.