Respiratory viruses are spreading in communities in Taiwan. Experts explain with pictures and texts how to beware of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
According to statistics from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Taiwan’s national influenza-like medical consultation rate reached a new high in the past two years in February this year, indicating that various types of respiratory viruses are hidden in the community. Streptococcus pneumoniae is also one of the common pathogenic bacteria in the community. Cases of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection occur throughout the year, with the peak period from winter to spring. Dr. Ou Hongyi, professor of the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism in the Department of Internal Medicine of National Cheng Kung University Hospital, said that Streptococcus pneumoniae often lurks in the nasal cavity and can be spread through droplets. The groups that are susceptible to infection are mainly infants and young children under 5 years old and the elderly over 65 years old. people.
Respiratory viruses are spreading in communities in Taiwan. Experts explain with pictures and texts how to beware of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
“Patients with diabetes have poorer resistance and are more likely to develop invasive pneumococcal disease infection after being infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae.” Dr. Ou Hongyi said, “These patients are often defeated after getting sick, which is quite dangerous. You may be hospitalized for more than a month. Taking preventive measures in advance is the best strategy!”
Dr. Ou Hongyi explained that when infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae, patients may experience fever, chills, cough, asthma, shortness of breath, chest pain, headache, vomiting and other symptoms. Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause otitis media, sinusitis, pneumonia, etc. When immunity is weakened, it may also invade the blood and cause “invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae disease infection.” The clinical manifestations of invasive pneumococcal disease infections are quite diverse, including sepsis, meningitis, arthritis, osteomyelitis, pericarditis, hemolytic uraemia, peritonitis, etc. In severe cases, sepsis may progress to life-threatening conditions.
Taking preventive measures in advance is the best strategy
Invasive pneumococcal disease infections progress rapidly in older people, as well as those with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic heart disease, chronic lung disease, chronic liver disease, malignant tumors, immune deficiency, and the use of steroids or immunosuppressants. Patients are advised to take preventive measures. If relevant symptoms occur, they must be vigilant and seek medical attention as soon as possible to receive appropriate treatment.
Doctors recommend this to prevent the threat of Streptococcus pneumoniae in advance!
Since Streptococcus pneumoniae can lurk in the nasal cavity and is an asymptomatic carrier, the carrier rate in healthy adults is about 5% to 10%, and the carrier rate in children is 20% to 40%. It may be transmitted through the air unknowingly. Droplets spread, so when everyone gets together or travels, beware of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Dr. Ou Hongyi said that if you want to prevent Streptococcus pneumoniae, you should wash your hands frequently, wear a mask, and avoid crowds of people as much as possible. Getting the Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine is also a very effective way to prevent it.
Doctors recommend this to prevent the threat of Streptococcus pneumoniae in advance!
Vaccination with the Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine can exert a significant protective effect, reducing the chance of infection among high-risk groups such as young children, the elderly, and patients with chronic diseases. It can also help reduce the rate of nasal carriage, thereby reducing the risk of Streptococcus pneumoniae being transmitted through droplets. Opportunities to protect high-risk groups around you.
Conditions for publicly funded pneumococcal vaccines are relaxed and PCV13 vaccine is included
The current pneumococcal vaccines mainly include the 13-valent conjugate vaccine PCV13 and the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine PPV23, which can prevent some serotypes that often cause infection. Dr. Ou Hongyi said that the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine PPV23 can induce the body to produce antibodies, but the duration of the immune response is short. The 13-valent conjugate vaccine PCV13 can activate T cells and produce long-term immune memory, and the protective effect can last for more than 10 years.
The 13-valent conjugate vaccine PCV13 and the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine PPV23 are both inactivated vaccines and can be administered at the same time as influenza vaccine or COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Ou Hongyi said that it is recommended to use the “left lung and right lung” method, injecting influenza vaccine in the left hand and pneumococcal vaccine in the right hand to help improve protection.
The pneumococcal vaccine is highly safe and serious side effects are rare. A small number of people may experience redness, swelling and pain at the injection site, which usually recover within a few days. Dr. Ou Hongyi said that with the advancement of the concept of vaccination, many people will choose to get vaccinated at their own expense to protect themselves and their family members from the threat of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
[Thisarticleisreprintedwithpermissionfrom”CareOnline”originalsource:Respiratory virus is spreading in the community!Beware of Streptococcus pneumoniae. PCV13 is added to the publicly funded vaccine to provide broader and more lasting protection. Graphic analysis by expert doctors】
2024-03-16 10:30:00
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