The Allen County Public Health Department is reminding the community that Nov 12 is designated as World Pneumonia Day.
The bacteria that causes pneumococcal pneumonia, Streptococcus pneumoniae, is responsible for approximately 1.6 million deaths world-wide. It is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable illness and death in the United States.
Anyone can get the disease, especially during flu season, but some individuals are at greater risk than others. Those include:
- Individuals 65 years and older
- The very young
- Individuals with certain health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, sickle cell disease, diabetes, and cirrhosis
- Individuals with a weakened immune system
- Smokers
The bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease is spread through contact with persons who are ill or by contact with healthy persons who can carry the bacteria in the back of the nose or throat without being ill from it.
The bacteria is mostly spread through respiratory droplets from the nose or mouth.
Vaccination provides the most effective protection from this disease. Studies have shown that treatment with penicillin and other drugs is not as effective as it was in the past which makes prevention of the disease through vaccination even more important.
The Allen County Health Department offers pneumococcal vaccinations for children as well as adults by appointment. Appointments are available by either calling 419-228-4457 or online at our website HYPERLINK "http://www.allencountyhealthdepartment.org" www.allencountyhealthdepartment.org.
