Pneumococcal disease refers to infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae , also called the pneumococcus. Pneumococcal disease is the leading cause of death from vaccine-preventable bacterial disease in the United States.
Pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common type of bacterial pneumonia acquired in the community.
Pneumococcal pneumonia is especially severe in adults over 65 years of age and in persons of any age who have chronic medical problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease including congestive heart failure, diabetes, alcohol abuse, kidney failure, cancers, and weakened immune systems from disease or drug treatments. Pneumococcal pneumonia is also more common in smokers and persons with HIV-infection. Pneumococcal meningitis - S. pneumoniae is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis among children and adults in the United States. Pneumococcal meningitis can result in permanent damage to the brain and nervous system, learning deficits and deafness. Black persons, Alaskan Natives and American Indians.