Pneumococcus
What is
pneumococcus?
Pneumococcus are bacteria that can cause serious illness in children,
including pneumonia, infection in the blood, and meningitis (infection
in the tissues around the brain and spinal cord). In young children,
pneumococcus bacteria often cause otitis media (middle ear infection),
which can lead to more serious complications such as meningitis.
Immunization
against pneumococcus:Although pneumococcal vaccines have been used for older
children and adults for many years, a new form of pneumococcal vaccine
is now recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for all
children younger than age 2. This vaccine is called pneumococcal
conjugate vaccine (PCV7).
The AAP also recommends
that PCV7 be given to all children ages 24 to 59 months of age who are
at very high risk for developing pneumococcal infections. This includes children who
have weakened immune
(infection fighting) systems, such as those with sickle cell disease and
HIV infection (human immunodeficiency virus).
When is PCV7
given?PCV7 can be given along with other childhood vaccines and is
recommended at the following ages:
-
2 months
-
4 months
-
6 months
-
12 to 15 months
Children who are sick or
have a fever should wait until they are well to receive the PCV7 vaccine.
Children who have had a prior reaction to any type of pneumococcal
vaccine should not receive PCV7.
What
are the risks from PCV7?A vaccine, like any medication, is capable of causing serious
problems, such as severe allergic reactions. However, the most common
reactions to PCV7 include the following:
-
pain and redness at
place in the location where shot was given
-
fever
-
muscle aches
How do
I care for my child after immunization with PCV7?
-
Give your child
aspirin-free pain reliever, as directed by your child's physician.
-
An allergic reaction
would most likely occur within a few minutes to a few hours of the
shot. Signs of an allergic reaction may include difficulty
breathing, wheezing, (squeaking sounds while breathing due to tight
airways), weakness, fast
heartbeat, hives, and paleness. Report these or any other unusual
signs immediately to your child's physician.
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