Invasive Pneumococcal disease and children

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Invasive Pneumoccocal Disease
Is the group caused by the same bacterium: Streptococcus pneumoniae. Two of the most serious diseases it can cause are bacterial meningitis and bactremia. As a parent or guardian, you should know the facts about these diseases-what the facts about these diseases-what their symptoms are, how they're transmitted and how can you help protect your children against them. Each year in the U.S., invasive pneumococcal disease is responsible for approximately 3000 cases of meningitis, and 50000 cases pof bactremia in all age groups.

What is bacterial meningitis?
Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and the spinal cord. Your brain and spinal cord are responsible for everything you feel, think, and do.

Why is bacterial meningitis serious?
Meningitis can cause serious, sometimes permanent disabilities including heraing loss paralysis, and mental retardation.

What is bactremia?
Sometimes refered to as "blood poisoning" bactremia occurs when bacteria is a serious condition that can develop into meningitis, a potentially life-threatening disease.

Why is bactremia serious?
Like meningitis, bactremia can cause hearing loss and learning difficulties in children. Bactremia can also develop into a serious condition called sepsis, or infection of the blood, which may cause organ damage as a result of organ failure.

How do children get bacterial meningitis or bactremia?
As with other pneumococcal diseases, the bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis and bactremia can be passed from one child to another droplets that are released into the air by sneezing or coughing. Other children can breathe in the bacteria and become sick.

Are some children at greater risk than others?
All children under 5 are at increased risk, but children less than 2 years of age are even more so. Because of close contact, children in day care 4 or more hours per week are considered to be at higher risk for invasive pneumococcal disease than children not in day care. Others also at greater risk include native Americans, African Americans, and children with HIV disease.
How are bacterial meningitis and bactremia treated?
Bacterial meningitis and bactremia are usually treated with antibiotics. However, during the past few years, antibiotics have become less effective. This is because sometimes the bacteria are resistant to, or stronger than, the antibiotic treatment.