Talk to Your Health Care Provider About Pneumococcal Disease This Flu Season (NAPSA)—Withflu season on the way, you may be planning a doctor’s visit. Take the opportunity to also talk to your doctor about another serious health issue— pneumococcal disease (pronounced NEW-moe-cock-ul). “Pneumococcal disease, like influenza, is very common and often underestimated. Both are more prevalent during the winter months and may cause serious health problems, particularly in older adults,” according to William Schaffner, M.D., Chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. A LookAt The Facts Pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common form of pneumococ- cal disease in adults. Each year in the United States, there are an estimated 175,000 hospitalizations for pneumococcal pneumonia. Wheninfection spreads to the bloodstream, it is called bacteremia, a very serious—and sometimes deadly—complication. It has been estimated that there are more than 50,000 cases of bacteremia each year. Causes, Symptoms And Treatment Many healthy people—up to 70 percent—carry the bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease and don’t even know it. The bacteria are spread by coughing, sneezing or close contact. Researchers don’t know why it suddenly enters the lungs and bloodstream to cause illness, but they do know that pneumococcal disease occurs more commonly during winter months. Pneumococcal disease is usu- ally treated with antibiotics, but that’s not always effective. “Treatment of pneumococcal disease is getting harder because the bacte- ria are becoming moreresistant to penicillin and other antibiotics,” said Schaffner. So remember to talk to your health care provider about pneumococcal disease. For more information about pneumococcal disease, visit www. niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/pneumo nia.htm. Are You At Increased Risk? Somepeople are atincreased risk for pneumococcal disease, including those who: Are age 65 or over Havechronic heart or lung disease Have problems with alcohol or have chronicliver disease Have diabetes Have a suppressed immunesystem or have cancer Are withouta spleen Havesicklecell disease @
