HomeOur Therapy AreasVaccinesPneumoniaLearn more about pneumonia.What is pneumococcal pneumonia?Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs. Viruses, bacteria, or fungi can cause the infection. When a person contracts pneumonia, their alveoli, or air sacs in the lungs, become congested with fluid or pus. This can lead to symptoms such as cough, fever, or chills, all of which can vary in severity. A person’s health and age and the source of the infection can all affect the severity of their symptoms.1Bacterial Pneumonia2Bacterial pneumonia is pneumonia that results from an overgrowth of bacteria in the lungs. Four types of bacterial pneumonia exist:2
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP): The acute infection of lung tissue in a patient who has acquired it from the community or within 48 hours of the hospital admission.2
Hospital-acquired pneumonia: The acute infection of lung tissue in a non-intubated patient that develops after 48 hours of hospitalization.2
Ventilator-associated pneumonia: A type of nosocomial infection of lung tissue that usually develops 48 hours or longer after intubation for mechanical ventilation.2
Healthcare-acquired pneumonia: The acute infection of lung tissue acquired healthcare facilities such as nursing homes, dialysis centers, outpatient clinics, or a patient with a history of hospitalization within the past three months.2
Some common bacteria responsible for bacterial pneumonia include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae, among others. When this common bacteria causes pneumonia, the resulting pneumonia is called typical pneumonia.2CausesWhat Causes Pneumonia?Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can all cause pneumonia.3BacteriaBacterial pneumonia can begin after a cold or flu, or it can start directly as a bacterial infection. It tends to infect a singular part, or lobe, of the lung.3VirusesMany viruses that lead to upper respiratory tract infections can also cause pneumonia. In most cases, viral pneumonia tends to be less serious and pass more quickly than bacterial pneumonia. Sometimes bacterial pneumonia can follow viral pneumonia.3FungiFungal pneumonia tends to affect people with weakened immune systems and those with chronic health issues. It can also arise in people who encounter high quantities of specific types of fungi in bird droppings or soil.3Pneumonia transmissionSome types of viruses and bacteria that cause pneumonia can be spread, while others cannot. They spread when people inhale respiratory droplets that are airborne because of coughing, talking, or sneezing. People also can contract pneumonia by touching a contaminated surface and then their mouth or nose. Exposure to viruses, bacteria, or fungi that cause pneumonia does not mean you will get infected.3Pneumonia Risk FactorsCertain characteristics and circumstances can put people at an increased risk for pneumonia. They include age, environment, lifestyle, and pre-existing medical conditions4AgeChildren ages 2 or younger face an increased risk of pneumonia because their immune systems are still developing. Babies who are born prematurely face an even greater risk of pneumonia.4People ages 65 and older also face greater risk of pneumonia. The immune system tends to weaken with age, and people ages 65 and older are more likely to have other health conditions that raise their risk.4Medical conditionsMedical conditions that weaken the immune system, such as HIV/AIDS, transplants of bone marrow or organs, and pregnancy, all raise a person’s risk of pneumonia. The use of steroid medications or chemotherapy, which weaken the immune system, also increases the risk of pneumonia.4Lung diseases such as COPD, cystic fibrosis, and asthma heighten the risk of pneumonia, along with other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and liver disease.4Finally, any medical condition that makes it difficult to swallow or cough can amplify someone’s odds of getting pneumonia. The problem occurs when food, saliva, or drink enters the windpipe instead of the esophagus.4Environment/occupationWhere someone lives or works can affect their risk of pneumonia. For example, people living in crowded spaces, such as nursing homes, military barracks, homeless shelters, or prisons, face a higher pneumonia risk. Being hospitalized or placed on a ventilator also heightens pneumonia risk.4Those who work in places where exposure to toxic fumes or air pollution is common may face greater odds of getting pneumonia. That is also true of people who work in veterinary clinics, pet shops, and poultry facilities, around birds or other animals.4LifestyleSmoking cigarettes and using drugs or alcohol can increase a person’s risk of pneumonia.4Pneumonia SymptomsPneumonia symptoms can vary from person to person, ranging from mild to severe. Some severe cases require hospitalization. Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may also vary based on the source of the infection, the patient’s health status, and their age.5General pneumonia symptoms may include5
Cough, which may produce greenish, yellow or even bloody mucus
Fever
Sweating and chills
Shortness of breath
Rapid breathing
Chest pain when you breath or cough
Loss of appetite, low energy and fatigue
Nausea and vomiting, especially in small children
Confusion, which is more common among older people
Pneumonia PreventionYou can also help prevent respiratory infections by:
Washing your hands regularly
Cleaning surfaces that are touched a lot
Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or into your elbow or sleeve
Limiting contact with cigarette smoke
Treating and preventing conditions like diabetes6
VaccinationPneumococcal infections remain a common global cause of significant morbidity and mortality. Effective vaccines are available, and their appropriate use could effectively reduce the burden of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections and pneumococcal infections, not only in children but also in the elderly and in high-risk cases. 7Pneumococcal vaccination is recommendend in South Africa adult pneumococcal vaccination guidelines (2022).7References
Feldman C, Dlamini S, Richards GA, et al. A comprehensive overview of pneumococcal vaccination recommendations for adults in South Africa, 2022. https://jtd.amegroups.org/article/view/68210/html J Thoracic Dis. 2022;14(10):4150-4172.