Pneumococcal infection is caused by a germ (or bacteria). It can cause ear and sinus infections, and pneumonia ( an infection of the lungs). It can also cause serious and life-threatening infections including meningitis (an infection of the lining that covers the brain) and septicemia (an infection of the blood).  

• Cough - Mucus (sputum) from your lungs may be coughed up. Mucus may be rusty or green or tinged with blood

• Fever
• Fast breathing and fast heart rate
• Chest pain that often feels worse when you cough or breathe in
• Feeling very tired or very weak

Symptoms of pneumococcal meningitis include:

• Severe headache
• Fever
• Irritability
• Vomiting
• Neck stiffness

Pneumococcal infection is spread from one person to another by coughing, sneezing or close face-to-face contact.

Pneumonia is an important cause of death in the elderly. For every 20 cases of pneumococcal meningitis, up to 5 people will die. Permanent complications of pneumococcal meningitis infection include brain damage and deafness.

Infection is diagnosed by a blood test or chest x-ray (to diagnose pneumonia).

Antibiotics and rest.

Some types of pneumococcal infections can be prevented by immunization. Infants in BC receive the pneumococcal conjugate 

vaccine at 2, 4, and 12 months of age as part of BC's routine childhood immunizations. Infants with certain health conditions should get an extra dose at 6 months of age. Older children and adults with medical conditions that increase their risk of complications from pneumococcal infection should also get the vaccine. The vaccine is also recommended for adults 65 years of age and older. For more information about the vaccine, visit HealthLinkBC File #62c Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV 20) vaccine.