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Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Three Times Higher In NW Ontario: NWHU
Streptococcus pneumoniae, the bacteria that can cause Pneumonia and other illnesses, seems to be on the rise in Northwestern Ontario, according to a release from the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU).
According to a release from the NWHU, cases of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease are three times higher in the district when compared to the provincial average. Left untreated, the disease can cause brain damage, infected blood, and even death.
"Streptococcus pneumoniae is a type of bacteria that can cause infections in different parts of the body, including the sinuses, the ear, the lungs, the bloodstream, and the brain," reads the release from the Northwestern health unit.
"An increase in the number of cases of IPD in the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) catchment area was noted in late winter and early spring. The rate of invasive pneumococcal disease is three times higher in the NWHU catchment area than in Ontario as a whole. Invasive pneumococcal disease is most common in the very young (children under age 2) and the elderly (those 65 and older), and people who have certain medical conditions that put them at increased risk for IPD. Invasive Pneumococcal Disease is preventable through vaccination. Immunization for IPD is given through routine childhood immunizations, as well as to those 65 and older, and to those at high risk."
So, people who have a cochlear implant, a weakened or suppressed immune system, a chronic organ disease, a missing or non-functional spleen, diabetes, and other chronic conditions might be at a higher risk than the general public.
"When it infects the bloodstream and brain, it is called Invasive Pneumococcal Disease, which can lead to brain damage, bloodstream infections, or even death," reads the release.
"If you or someone you know may be at risk, please talk to your health care provider or call your local NWHU [office] for more information on the pneumococcal vaccine."
50 Or Older? The Pneumococcal Pneumonia Vaccine Is Recommended ... - Yahoo
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Apr. 9—(StatePoint) Pneumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious bacterial lung disease that can disrupt your life for weeks and even land you in the hospital. Medical experts want you to know that there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of serious illness.
An important step is getting pneumococcal vaccination if it's recommended for you. This vaccine helps protect against pneumococcal disease, including, pneumococcal pneumonia, bloodstream infection (bacteremia), and infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). In October 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its adult immunization schedules, and now recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all adults 50 or older, even if you are healthy, and maintains its recommendation of vaccination for adults 19-49 with certain underlying medical conditions like asthma, COPD, chronic heart disease and diabetes.
"The immune system naturally weakens with age, so even if you're healthy and active, being older puts you at greater risk of severe illness from pneumococcal pneumonia. The CDC's updated guidelines are intended to keep more people healthy and safe," says Albert A. Rizzo, MD, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association.
The American Lung Association maintains an ongoing educational program about pneumococcal pneumonia with Pfizer. As part of the program, they are sharing these fast facts:
—Anyone can get pneumococcal pneumonia and unfortunately, it is a disease you can have more than one time. Certain populations are at higher risk for severe illness, hospitalization and death. You can use American Lung Association resources to help you determine your risk.
—The symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia include fever, chills, cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing or rapid breathing, and these symptoms can appear suddenly and without warning.
—Having the flu increases the likelihood of developing pneumonia, including pneumococcal pneumonia. You can reduce this risk by getting a flu shot every year to help prevent seasonal influenza. In addition, those at risk for pneumococcal disease can get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia. Ask your healthcare provider about pneumococcal vaccination today.
For more information about pneumococcal pneumonia risk factors, symptoms and prevention, visit Lung.Org/pneumococcal.
Thanks to the CDC's recommendations, more Americans can take the step of vaccinating against pneumococcal pneumonia and reducing their risk of severe illness.
Photo Credit: (c) DisobeyArt / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Is It Time To Add Pneumococcal Pneumonia Shot To The List?Bodyworks
Adam's JournalIt seems like I've recently started seeing lots of ads recommending the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine for those who, like me, are over 50. I thought I was up to date on my shots, but I'm pretty sure I've never had this one. Did something change?
Dr. James PrescribesYou have a good eye. This past fall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed the recommended age for getting the vaccine for pneumococcal pneumonia from those 65 and older to those 50 and above.
Now, let's step back a bit to understand why.
Pneumococcal pneumonia is a type of lung infection caused by bacteria that live in the upper respiratory tract. It typically spreads by coughing or close contact.
The CDC justified the revised recommendation based on a change in the risk trajectory, saying there is a substantial increase in the risk for infection beginning at age 50. This is consistent with newer research I've seen, which suggests that the number of patients with severe cases of pneumococcal pneumonia rises at this age.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed the recommended age for getting the vaccine for pneumococcal pneumonia from those 65 and older to those 50 and above.
Fifty is also the age when the risk for comorbidities — conditions like diabetes, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — increases. This, in turn, raises the chances for severe pneumococcal pneumonia, which can be life-threatening.
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Because pneumococcal pneumonia peaks in the winter and early spring, now is an ideal time to consider vaccination. Pneumococcal infections can also occur as a serious secondary infection after the flu — which we are seeing more of this year — so that's another reason to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting a shot.
Finally, let me offer one more reason to prevent the infection through vaccination if possible: A significant percentage of invasive forms of pneumococcus bacteria are now resistant to at least one class of antibiotics, which is how pneumococcal pneumonia is treated.
Dr. Judith James
Dr. Judith James is executive vice president and chief medical officer of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Adam Cohen is OMRF's senior vice president and general counsel. Send your health questions to contact@omrf.Org.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: CDC recommends pneumococcal pneumonia shot for those over 50
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