Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding measures to practice for preventing contact with pneumonia as follows:
- Pneumococcus spreads between individuals mainly by inhalation of droplet particles that are dispensed into the air, when infected individuals sneeze, cough, or talk. Avoiding inhalation of droplet particles from infected individuals is the main stay of prevention measures.
- Infected individuals and individuals presenting with pneumococcal disease symptoms, such as, fever and cough, must stay home and avoid getting out to help control the spread of infection to others. These individuals must seek advice from their medical team, doctor/nurses/home health staff, as to when it would be safe to resume their regular activities.
- Droplet particles dispensed into the air during sneeze, cough, or talk are likely to travel up to 6 feet distance. Close contact (less than 6 ft) with sick/infected individuals can heavily increase the probability of inhaling infected droplet particles, as they speak, sneeze, or cough. Also, some pneumococcal infections can be silent, with individuals not presenting with any signs & symptoms of illness. So, as a general rule, observing a distance of at least 6 feet from others around can significantly reduce the likelihood of coming in contact with the pneumococcal bacterium.
- During the peak season of pneumococcal infections in the community, especially the winter season, it is a good practice to cover the nose and mouth with a mask, when in public places. Wearing the mask, aptly covering the nose and mouth, can help prevent inhaling the infected droplet particles in the surrounding air. The mask also helps infected individuals and individuals presenting with symptoms of pneumococcal illness to prevent dispensing the infected droplet particles into the surrounding air, thus controlling the spread of infection to others.
