Table of Contents
- Highlights
- Introduction
- Symptoms of Severe Reactions to Vaccinations
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
- Varicella-Zoster Virus (Chickenpox)
- Varicella-Zoster Virus (Shingles)
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Pneumococcal Pneumonia
- Poliomyelitis
- Viral Influenza
- Haemophilus Influenzae Type B
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Rotavirus
- Smallpox
- Other Vaccinations
- Vaccinations for Travelers to Developing Countries
- Resources
- References
Pneumococcal Pneumonia
The pneumococcal bacterium (also called Streptococcus pneumoniae or S. pneumoniae) is responsible for many respiratory infections in the upper and lower airways. This bacterium is dangerous for people with serious underlying chronic medical conditions and illnesses, and is the leading cause of ear infections and sinusitis in children. The most common type of severe S. pneumoniae infection is pneumonia.
Vaccine Description
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against some strains of S. pneumoniae bacteria, the most common cause of respiratory infections. There are 2 effective vaccines available:
Review Date: 10/12/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.,
Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
