Here are some key facts you need to know about pneumococcal pneumonia.

65 or Older? Even If You are Healthy, You are Still at Risk. 1,2

MYTH

If you take care of yourself and are in good health, you're not at risk.

FACT

At 65 or older, the risk of hospitalization with pneumococcal pneumonia is at least 6X * greater than healthy adults aged 18–49. 1
Pneumococcal vaccination can help protect you. 3

It is Not a Bad Cold or The Flu. 3

MYTH

What's the big deal? Pneumococcal pneumonia is like a cold or the flu.

FACT

Pneumococcal pneumonia is not a cold or the flu. 3 Unlike a cold or the flu, pneumococcal pneumonia is caused by bacteria.3 Some symptoms like fever and chill can appear suddenly, 4 and it can take weeks to achieve symptoms resolution. 5^

It is Infectious. 4 It Can Be Caught Anywhere, Anytime. 6

MYTH

You can only catch pneumococcal pneumonia in cold places, in cold seasons.

FACT

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious3 bacterial lung infection3 you can catch anywhere, any time of the year.6

You Cannot Catch Pneumococcal Pneumonia by Getting Vaccination. 7

MYTH

Getting vaccinated can cause pneumococcal pneumonia.

FACT

Pneumococcal vaccines do not contain live bacteria and so can not replicate. 7 Therefore you can't catch pneumococcal pneumonia by getting vaccinated. 7

The impact of Symptoms may last for Days to Months 5^

MYTH

If you catch it, you'll bounce back in no time.

FACT

With pneumococcal pneumonia, it may take weeks before you resume your full productivity at work or usual activities. 5^The fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath may take weeks to resolve. 5^

Chronic Conditions like COPD, Asthma, Diabetes? 1,2Your Risk Goes Up. 1,2

MYTH

If your health issues are under control, you're not at increased risk.

FACT

Certain chronic conditions like COPD, asthma, heart disease, and diabetes can increase your risk for pneumococcal pneumonia. 1,2

COPD= Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

*Risk is dependent on individual risk profile. (healthy; adults included those without evidence of any high-risk or at-risk condition, at risk; adults included those who were immunocompetent with 1 or more chronic medical conditions or high risk ; adults included those who were immunocompromised or had a cochlear implant) 1

^Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the most common pathogens found in community acquired pneumonia (CAP) 8

References

1. P Pelton.SI, et al. Decline in Pneumococcal Disease Attenuated in Older Adults and Those With Comorbidities Following Universal Childhood PCV13 Immunization. CID 2019;68(11):1831–8

2. Shea KM, et al. Rates of Pneumococcal Disease in Adults With Chronic Medical Conditions. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2014 May 27;1(1):ofu024

3. National heart and lung and blood institute -Pneumonia 2016 https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/pneumonia( accessed 6th Aug 2020)

4. CDC Pink Book 13th edition 2015 Principal of Vaccination updated June2020, https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/prinvac.html (accessed 6th Aug 2020)

5. Wyrwich .WK, et al. Observational longitudinal study of symptom burden and time for recovery from community-acquired pneumonia reported by older adults surveyed nationwide using the CAP Burden of Illness Questionnaire. Patient Related Outcome Measures 2015:6 215–223

6. American Lung association. https://www.lung.org/blog/you-can-still-get-pneumonia-in-summer#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20pneumococcal%20pneumonia%20can,pneumonia%20is%20called%20pneumococcal%20pneumonia (Accessed 6th Aug 2020)

7. CDC Pink Book 13th edition 2015 Principal of Vaccination updated June2020, https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/prinvac.html (accessed 6th Aug 2020)

8. Jain.S, et al. Community-Acquired Pneumonia Requiring Hospitalization among U.S. Adults N Engl J Med 2015;373:415-27.