In the third day of his viral illness, he suddenly developed shaking chills, a high fever, chest pains and began coughing up rust-colored sputum. Gram stains showed numerous PMNs and many Gram positive cocci in chains. Staphylococcus aureus c. Streptococcus pneumoniae d. Virulence factors associated with this organism include a. an antiphagocytic polysaccharide capsule b. Steps to prevent bacteremia and pneumonia with this organism a. are unnecessary because the infection is mild and will always resolve on its own b. can be accomplished by penicillin prophylaxis whenever elderly people develop influenza c. are currently not possible.
Rapid diagnosis is critical to save lives.