Early diagnosis and treatment are very important for serious pneumococcal infections. Diagnosis depends on which type of infection a doctor thinks a patient may have. For meningitis or bloodstream infections, doctors will collect samples of cerebrospinal fluid or blood and send them to a laboratory for testing. Doctors can also use a urine test to diagnose some cases of pneumonia. For illnesses like ear and sinus infections, doctors usually diagnose them based on history, symptoms, and a physical exam. Doctors can treat pneumococcal disease with antibiotics.