Streptococcus pneumoniae, a gram-positive, lancet-shaped bacteria, is the main cause of community-acquired pneumonia and meningitis in children and the elderly, and of sepsis in those infected with HIV. Complications of invasive pneumococcal disease may include:
- Bronchitis
- Sinusitis
- Otitis media
- Pneumonia
- Meningitis
- Bloodstream infection
Infections due to S. pneumoniae are often contagious, and can induce symptoms and conditions that range in severity. Sinusitis and bronchitis tend to be more mild conditions, whereas pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infection due to pneumococcal infection can often be life-threatening and require immediate hospitalization.
Those at higher risk for serious pneumococcal disease include:
- Children younger than 2 years old
- Adults older than 65 years old
- Those with compromised immune systems
S. pneumoniae is the primary cause of pneumonia deaths worldwide. In 2019, 2.5 million people globally died from pneumonia, nearly one third of which were children younger than 5 years old. Most of these deaths occurred in developing countries.
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