Pneumococcal infections

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Pneumococcal infections are caused by bacteria, and can lead to serious diseases such as pneumonia, blood poisoning (septicaemia), and meningitis.

Pneumococci can be present in the respiratory tract without causing any problems.

Although all age groups may be affected, the highest rate of pneumococcal disease occurs:

in young children,
the elderly, especially over-80s,
people with a weakened immune system due to HIV, Hodgkinâ€™s disease, sickle cell anaemia, cancer,
people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart or lung disorders,
people whose spleen has been removed, and
after chronic bronchitis or flu has damaged the lining of the respiratory tract.

The most serious pneumococcal infections (invasive pneumococcal diseases), especially pneumonia amongst at-risk groups, have a high mortality rate.