Pneumococcal infections
The treatment you receive depends on whether you have an invasive ornon-invasive pneumococcal infection. Antibioticsare oftenused to treat a serious infection.
Non-invasive pneumococcal infections, such as sinusitis or bronchitis, will usually clear up within a week without the need for treatment.
Drinking plenty of fluids, getting plenty of rest and taking over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol , should helprelieve your symptoms.
Readmore information about treating specific types of pneumococcal infection:
If you have an invasive pneumococcal infection, such as Pneumonia , a decision will be madeabout whether you are well enough to be treated at home or need to be admitted to hospital.
Most GPs use a scoring system, known as the CRB-65 score, to assess the potential seriousness of a case of pneumonia.
Each of the above criteria is given a score of either 0 or 1, depending on whether or not it is applicable. The scoring system is explained below:
Hospital admission is also recommended for:
If you are being treated at home, you will usually be prescribed a seven-day course of antibiotics and asked to get plenty of rest and fluids.
It's very important to finish your course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better. Not completing the full course of antibiotics could cause the pneumonia to return.
If your symptoms are moderate, you can usually be treated with antibiotic tablets.
If your symptoms are severe, you will usually be given antibiotics through a drip into your arm. You may also be given fluids to stop you becoming dehydrated, and oxygen to help you breathe.
Depending on how well you respond to treatment, it may be possible to switch from a drip to antibiotic tablets after a few days.
Most people who are treated in hospital require a 7-10 day course of antibiotics. The time it will take before you are well enough to return home will depend on your general state of health and whether you experience a more serious type of pneumococcal infection, such as meningitis.
It's usually recommended that you attend a follow-up examination six weeks after the start of your symptoms. This isto check that the infection has not caused any serious or permanent damage to the affected parts of your body, such as your lungs.
The follow-up examination usually involves taking a chest X-ray so the state of your lungs can be assessed.
Pneumococcal infections are caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, and range from mild to severe.
Your symptoms will vary, depending on the type of pneumococcal infection you have. Symptoms include fever, chills and a headache.
There are more than 90 different strains of S. pneumoniae, and some are much more likely to cause serious infection (virulent) than others.
There are several ways to diagnose pneumococcal infections, and the tests you have will depend on your symptoms.
The treatment you receive depends on whether you have an invasive or non-invasive pneumococcal infection. Antibiotics may be used to treat a serious infection.
Children under two should receive the PCV as part of their childhood immunisation schedule. Simple hygiene precautions can also help to prevent infection.