Streptococcus pneumoniae Infection (Pneumococcal Disease)
Organism
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal) invasive disease is caused by a type of bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae).
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal) invasive disease is caused by a type of bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae).
S. pneumoniae bacteria can be found in many people’s noses and throats and is spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing, or coming into contact with respiratory secretions.
S. pneumoniae can cause both invasive diseases (such as a meningitis or a blood stream infection) and non-invasive diseases (such as pneumonia). Only invasive disease is reportable to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Invasive disease symptoms can be different depending on the type of infection the disease has caused.
Complications of S. pneumoniae invasive disease can include brain damage, hearing loss, limb loss, and death.
Groups at increased risk for invasive disease caused by S. pneumoniae:
The incubation period varies by type of infection and can be as short as one to three days.
The period of communicability is unknown. It may be as long as the organism is present in respiratory tract secretions but is probably less than 24 hours after effective antibiotic therapy is begun.
The pneumococcal vaccines can help prevent infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Maintaining healthy habits like getting plenty of rest and not coming into close contact with people who are sick can also help prevent infection. Using good health practices such as covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and washing your hands frequently with soap and water can also help stop the spread of the bacteria.
More information on Pneumococcal vaccination:
Children with a fever should be kept out of school or childcare until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-suppressing medications. Rules for exclusion of sick children from school and childcare are outlined in the Texas Administrative Code, specifically 25 Tex. Admin. Code §97.7.
In Texas, only invasive cases of Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal) disease are reportable. The incidence of Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal) invasive disease cases reported in Texas has been fairly stable for the past ten years with between 1,535-2,029 cases reported each year (1,983 cases in 2019).
Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology Section
Mail Code: 3082
P. O. Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347
United States
Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology Section
Moreton Building, Suite M-631
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756-3199
United States