Streptococcus Pneumoniae Vaccination Dangers
Pneumococcal infection is common in children. However, in both children and adults, it may be life threatening. When the infection occurs in the ear or the meninges of the brain, the long-term effects of it may include deafness or neurological deficiencies. Since 2000, a vaccine has been available in the U.S. for children. A vaccine for adults has been available since the 1970s. The risks of mild reactions to the vaccine are preferable to the effects of the disease.
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Streptococcus Pneumoniae
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 13 cases of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal) disease per 100,000 U.S. residents each year. Pneumococcus, as the bacteria are also called, may cause infections in different body sites. The bacteria may cause meningitis, pneumonia, otitis media (ear infection) and even sepsis (systemic infection). Left untreated, the disease may be deadly or lead to serious complications and have long-term effects.
Strep Pneumo Vaccine
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Because children are most likely to acquire pneumococcal infection, the vaccine against pneumococcus is recommended for children younger than 2. Because of their age and immune status, adults older than 65 are also recommended to get vaccinated. The vaccines are effective against 23 of 90 known strains of pneumococcus.
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Known Side Effects
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Known side effects of the vaccine are redness at the site of the injection, soreness, and a mild fever. Rare side effects include myalgia (body aches) and high fever. If the person receiving the vaccine is allergic to any of the components of the vaccine, he or she may have an allergic reaction to the vaccine. People with previous allergic reactions to the vaccine should not receive a booster.
Causation
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There are some concerns about vaccines and more severe reactions than just allergic ones. This is because of a perceived increase in the number of severe events after being vaccinated. Upon further analysis, these events only appear to be associated to the vaccine because of the vaccine's widespread use. That is, some people have health events (such as heart attacks) with or without the vaccine, but the administration of the vaccine before the event makes the vaccine suspect.
Risks and Benefits
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The reactions to the pneumococcal vaccine are far more tolerable than the risks of pneumococcal infection. Soreness and a low grade fever do not lead to brain damage or even a visit to the doctor. An infection may, at the least, be expensive in medical costs and, at the worst, cost a person their life. With proper immunization levels, the vaccine is a benefit to the public as it prevents the bacteria from causing outbreaks of the disease.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of El Alvi
