Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding individuals at increased risk for pneumococcal infections as follows:
- Individuals with poor immune status, such as, with history of HIV, organ transplants, chronic steroid use, cancer diagnoses, bone marrow suppression, and absence of spleen can be at increased risk for contacting pneumococcal infection. Observing compliance with pneumococcal vaccination schedule, as recommended, can help significantly towards preventing severe illness and complications due to the infection.
- Individuals with history of severe head injury, brain tumor, having cochlear implants for improved hearing, receiving epidural anesthesia or undergoing any brain surgery can present with leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. Leakage of this fluid in individuals with above mentioned health conditions can make them more vulnerable to infections with pneumococcal bacteria. Observing compliance with pneumococcal vaccination schedule, as recommended, can help significantly towards preventing severe illness and complications due to the infection.
- Individuals with chronic health conditions causing severe debility, such as, CHF, asthma, COPD, cirrhosis of liver, and renal failure can also have very poor immune status. Consequently, these individuals could be at increased risk for infection with pneumococcal bacteria resulting in complications of pneumonia and sepsis. Observing compliance with pneumococcal vaccination schedule, as recommended, can help significantly towards preventing severe illness and complications due to the infection.
- Cigarette smoking is a serious risk factor for infection with pneumococcal pneumonia. Smoking disrupts the lining of the respiratory passages in the throat and lungs, which results in increased risk for contacting infections caused by pneumococcal bacteria. This leads to increased chances for presentation with pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis in these individuals. Receiving pneumococcal vaccinations by all smoking adults, as recommended, can help substantially reduce the risk for serious infections, debility, and mortality with the bacteria.
