Babies and Parents

The most feared disease that causes the bacterium pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae), is pneumonia and meningitis, but not the only ones seriously. Can cause infections in different parts of the body, and many of these can cause significant problems for the health of your children.

Pneumococcal infection is a major cause of serious illness and hospitalization. It is among the top ten causes of death in developed countries and its incidence in children under five is worrying. Vaccination is the most eficazpara preventive therapy to fight this disease. The vaccine schedule administration program in three doses every two months 2 to 6 months and a reminder of first to second year of the baby.

Children most vulnerable to pneumococcal infection are children under two years during the winter and spring seasons. Pneumococcus is commonly found in the nose and throat of healthy children and adults. Although not all carry the bacteria, that if they are potentially infecting other people by air.

Infection with the pneumococcal bacteria cause different diseases depending on the part of the body where it occurs:

1. Meningitis (brain) is the more serious the consequences that may result. Its symptoms are high fever, vomiting, neck stiffness, drowsiness.
2. The Bacteremia (bacteria in the circulation of blood): the main symptom is high fever, without which it becomes associated with another disease.
3. Pneumonia (lung) is especially serious in children under 2 years. The most common symptoms include sweating, trembling, cold, cough, fever and chest congestion.
4. Sinusitis (in the membranes of the sinuses) causes a fever, mucus and cough.
5. Otitis media (ear): Symptoms include headache, fever and earache. In children, a constant ringing in the ears can be a sign of acute otitis media.