Feature Article: Did You Know that Germs Gang Up on Us to Cause Disease?
Published on in Parents PACK
Published on in Parents PACK
Viruses and bacteria sometimes adopt a “kick them while they’re down” approach, leveraging the weakened state of a person’s body to cause further infection. The pathogens that cause the second infection are often referred to as “opportunistic.”
Some examples of opportunistic pathogens include:
Let’s face it, when you are lying in bed with “the flu,” your first thought isn’t that you could get sick with something else. However, the reality is that when influenza virus causes an infection, it often opens the door for a pneumococcal infection to follow. This is why older adults are particularly at risk of hospitalization or death following infection with influenza. While some will be hospitalized or die from pneumonia caused by influenza, most will have complications due to pneumococcal infection. If you or someone you know has ever had the flu, seemed to be getting better and then ended up even more ill a few days later, you have witnessed what can happen when pneumococcus infection follows infection with influenza.
Fortunately, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are available to protect older adults from this one-two punch. Two versions of the pneumococcal vaccine are available, and both are typically recommended for adults 65 years and older:
Both vaccines have different strengths. The additional protein attached to the sugar coating of the conjugate vaccine generates stronger immune responses, but the polysaccharide version offers protection against more types of pneumococcal bacteria.
Some adults are considered high risk and are recommended to get pneumococcal vaccine before they are 65 years old. These include:
Because of the differences between the two vaccines and individual patient profiles, it’s best to talk with your doctor or healthcare provider to figure out whether you need either or both pneumococcal vaccines.
All infants should receive the PCV13 vaccine in four doses at 2, 4, 6 and between 12 and 15 months of age.
The VEC recently released a pneumococcus question-and-answer sheet (English│Spanish), with more information about the disease, its complications, and the vaccines.
Categories: Feature Article, Parents PACK Nov. 2017
Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.
You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.