Pneumococcal infections
State and Territory information:
The bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause:
- meningitis (infection of the membranes that enclose the brain and spinal cord);
- pneumonia (lung infection);
- septicaemia/bacteraemia (blood system infection); and
- middle ear and sinus (nose passages) infections.
Children
Adults
Children
Pneumococcal meningitis symptoms may include high fever and headache, which may develop over a few hours or 1 - 2 days.Other symptoms may also include:
- vomiting;
- sensitivity to light;
- neck stiffness;
- poor appetite;
- confusion;
- irritability; and
- drowsiness.
Pneumococcal blood system infections can cause symptoms such as fever and irritability.
Pneumococcal middle ear infections cause ear pain and a red and swollen ear drum, difficulty sleeping, fever and irritability.
Adults
The bacteria can cause the following infections:Meningitis - symptoms include high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, and sometimes coma.
Pneumonia - symptoms include fever, cough, chest pains and breathing problems, such as shortness of breath.
Bacteraemia/septicaemia - a serious condition, symptoms include fever, headache and muscular aches and pains.
Most pneumococcal infections are vaccine preventable.
Vaccinations recommended for older Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are listed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule and funded under the Immunise Australia Program.
For technical information refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition 2008 (NHMRC).
Page last modified: 08 April, 2008