STRUCTURE AND PHYSIOLOGY

• I am an encapsulated Gram-positive bacterium and also the major cause of Bacteremia, which is an upper respiratory tract infection that can eventually spread to the blood, lungs, middle ear, or the nervous system. It generally spread through contact with people who are infected by me.
• Pneumococcal pneumonia is another infection that I cause
• It generally spreads through infectious droplets that are released through coughing or sneezing by the individuals that I infect.
• However, a very interesting fact about me is that I reside in the throats of children without making them sick.

TRANSMISSION AND DISEASE

Individuals with the following medical conditions are at risks of contracting my infection:

• Chronic heart, lung, or liver diseases,
• Sickle cell anemia,
• HIV/AIDS
• Organ transplants patients who are taking medications that compromise their immunity.
• Neonates.

TREATMENT OF INFECTION

• Getting the pneumococcal vaccine is the main way one can reduce his/her chances of getting pneumococcal pneumonia. Vaccines are available for children and adults. Symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia generally go away within 12 to 36 hours of taking medication.