What is Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus?
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterium that causes respiratory infections in children and adults as well as meningitis. It is the most common cause of bacterial inner ear infection in children. It is common in adults and the most frequent cause of pneumonia among the elderly and those not able to fight off infections. Everyone carries bacteria in their nose and throat without it making them sick. Streptococcus pneumoniae is found in the nose and throat of 10 – 40 % of healthy people without causing any symptoms of illness in these people. Pneumococcal infections are most prevalent when respiratory infections such as colds are common, usually during the winter months.
