Pneumococcal infections are bacterial diseases which can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and sinus and ear infections. They are most common during the winter months. Anyone can become infected, but elderly people and people with other health problems are more likely to become seriously ill.
Pneumonia is an important cause of death in the elderly.
The bacteria are spread from person to person by direct contact with an infected person's nose or throat secretions. In most cases pneumococcal disease is not easily spread from one person to another. However, on rare occasions, outbreaks have occurred in settings where people live or work very close together, such as day care centers and jails. Many people have bacteria that cause pneumococcal infections in their bodies without having symptoms. Babies, the elderly, or anyone with serious health problems such as, Hodgkin's disease, HIV, and sickle-cell anemia, are most likely to get the disease.