Prevent Pneumococcal Disease

MENINGITIS (infection of the lining of the brain or spinal cord)
Meningitis can cause serious and permanent disabilities such as hearing loss, paralysis, mental retardation and death.
Symptoms: Fever, lethargy, vomiting and stiff neck or legs.

BACTERAEMIA (infection of the blood)
Infection of the blood occurs when bacteria enters into the bloodstream and causes infection. This can also develop into meningitis.
Symptoms: Fever, irritability and rapid breathing.

PNEUMONIA (infection of the lungs)
Symptoms: Cough, chest congestion, production of phlegm, fever and chills.

OTITIS MEDIA (middle ear infection)
Infection of the blood occurs when bacteria enters into the bloodstream and causes infection. This can also develop into meningitis.
Symptoms: Ear-ache, fever and frequent tugging of the ear.

Every year, 1 million children under the age of five die from pneumococcal disease in developing
countries worldwide.There are over 90 strains of pneumococcal disease. With symptoms similar to
illnesses such as fever or common flu, diagnosing pneumococcal disease is a challenge.

Most children become carriers at some time, but not all will become sick. It can be passed from one child to another in the form of droplets that are released into the air by sneezing or coughing. Children attending day-care are particularly exposed to these infections.

Pneumococcal diease is more common in young children because they lack the right antibodies to fight the bacteria.

Children at risk of infection:

1. Children below 2 years of age


2. Children attending day-care centres


3. Having undergone one recent course of antibiotics


4. Children with chronic disease or immuno-compromised.


5. Children exposed to second hand smoke.

Has your child been feverish and crying all day? Could it be teething pains? Or is your child may have colic? Or it could be something more serious?
Prevent pneumococcal disease, don't risk your child's health.

Antibiotics are used to treat pneumococcal diseases and are effective if started in time. Meningitis and bacteraemia can develop very quickly, hence it is vital that treatment is provided without delay.

However, a small number of bacteria are resistant to antibiotics, which results in a longer and more comprehensive treatment.

Pneumococcal diseases can be prevented by a series of vaccination for your child. Vaccination reduces the spread of the bacteria, and may also reduce antibiotic resistance of the disease.

Vaccination is recommended for infants and young children as early as 6 weeks to 9 years old. While the vaccines may have some side effects, such as soreness at the injection site or fever, these problems are usually not serious.

On the rare occasion, a child may have an allergic reaction to the vaccine. This can occur within minutes or a few hours after the injection. Symptoms may include breathing difficulties, hives, weakness, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, swelling of the throat or pallor.

Breastfeeding offers some protection for infants but does not protect against all diseases that vaccines can prevent. Breast milk only protects the child during those months the child is breastfed.

Vaccines are designed to stimulate your child's body to produce antibodies without actually infecting the child.

Always seek competent medical advice.
Source of information: Malaysian Pediatric Association

These are featured info products from ClickBank Mall. A trusted source of thousands of information products in one place. Products are arranged in categories, or use the search engine to find what you are looking for.

Choose Health And Knowledge.

One day, Darryl had a runny nose and a fever of 39 degrees Celsius. The fever usually occurred at night. As soon as the fever subsided, he would be running and playing around like a normal health kid.

His parents brought him to their doctor (general practitioner) who prescribed Darryl some common fever medication. When his condition did not improve after 2 days, they brought back to the clinic. However, a stand-in doctor told them that his fever would take several days to subside.

4 days later, Darryl was brought to the clinic again. He did not complete his course of antibiotics, as he proved allergic to it. A blood test was performed but the test revealed nothing unusual. Later that night, he began to experience breathlessness.

Following his night of distress, Darryl was taken to the hospital and admitted. He was placed in a high dependency room and an oxygen mask was used to help his breathing. At this point, his parents were told that Darryl was very sick. His lungs had water and pus had to be drained via a tube.

Darryl was transferred to intensive care unit. A blood sample was drawn to test to determine the bacteria. His condition continued to deteriorate, while doctors tried various antibiotics to fight the infection. It got to the stage where Darryl needed to be put on a respirator.

After 21 days, despite the efforts of the doctors, Darryl was called home by God. Darryl contracted pneumonia caused by the pneumococcus bacteria.

Lessons Learned:

1. Never treat a common flu or fever lightly. If the fever does not subside by the 3rd day, take you child to a paediatrician.


2. Buy some form of insurance/medical card for your child. Protect your child when you have the means. Prevention is better than cure.