Pneumococcal pneumonia, a potentially dangerous bacterial lung infection, hospitalises approximately 225,000 adults in the United States each year. Pneumococcal pneumonia risk factors include age, certain underlying medical conditions, and lifestyle choices. The American Lung Association, in collaboration with Pfizer, is initiating an educational campaign encouraging adults, particularly those 50 and older, to discuss pneumococcal immunisation with a healthcare professional to help protect those who are most at risk.
The most prevalent kind of bacterial pneumonia is pneumococcal pneumonia. The bacteria that causes it, Streptococcus pneumoniae, is typically located in the upper respiratory tract. In the event that it results in illness, symptoms may manifest abruptly and persist for weeks or more. Fever, chills, coughing, chest pain, and breathing difficulties are typical symptoms. Hospitalisation may result in severe cases that cause airway blockages, collapsed lungs, or other potentially fatal complications. Crucially, vaccination for eligible adults is a crucial step in attempting to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia because an individual can contract the illness more than once.
“Pneumococcal pneumonia is more than just a bad cold or minor infection—it can be serious, especially for older adults and those living with certain underlying medical conditions. This disease can strike at any time of year, and if you are at increased risk, now is the right moment to speak with a healthcare provider about protection,” stated Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “Our goal for this campaign is to ensure people understand their risk and know that vaccination is an effective way to help prevent this disease.”
The pneumococcal vaccination recommendation includes:
- All adults ages 50 and older
- Adults ages 19–49 with certain underlying medical conditions or risk factors, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic heart disease and diabetes, and for those who smoke
Depending on the type and date of the prior vaccination, further vaccinations may be advised even if a person has already received one. A person’s chance of developing pneumococcal pneumonia can also be increased by having the flu, which emphasises the significance of keeping up with prescribed vaccinations.
More than 11 million persons in the United States were predicted to have COPD and 23 million to have asthma in 2023. Both illnesses raise the risk of pneumococcal pneumonia. Adults with specific underlying medical disorders are more at risk, although age is also a major factor:
- Adults 50 and older are approximately 6 times more likely to develop pneumococcal pneumonia than those 18–492
- Adults 65 and older are over 10 times more likely to be hospitalized with the disease than adults 18-49, based on a study that analyzed data between 2014-2016
The American Lung Association and Pfizer are committed to increasing awareness about pneumococcal pneumonia and ensuring those at risk have access to information and resources.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a health advice. We would ask you to consult a qualified professional or medical expert to gain additional knowledge before you choose to consume any product or perform any exercise.
