Protection in the wet and cold season Pneumococcal vaccine prevents pneumonia

Especially useful for the elderly: pneumococcal vaccine prevents pneumonia

Health experts say pneumonia is still a neglected hazard that can be fatal. According to estimates, around 35,000 people die each year in Germany alone. Much of the pneumonia is triggered by pneumococci. Actually, you can protect yourself well against these bacteria, but not all of them do.

Serious diseases caused by pneumococci

Pneumococci are bacteria that in many cases cause infections such as sinusitis or otitis media. However, potentially life-threatening diseases such as meningitis and blood poisoning can also be caused by these bacteria. And much of the pneumonia is also triggered by pneumococci. Nevertheless, too few people are protected against the pathogens, experts point out.

About 80 percent of pneumonia is caused by pneumococci. You can protect yourself against these bacteria with a vaccine. (Image: tibanna79 / fotolia.com)

Vaccination in the wet and cold season

Just 30 percent of seniors between the ages of 65 and 79 are vaccinated against pneumococci. The bacteria can trigger pneumonia, which can be fatal, reports the health insurance Barmer in a message.

The fund therefore recommends to pay attention to a sufficient vaccine protection before the start of the wet and cold season.

"Eighty percent of pneumonia is caused by bacteria that can be well protected. For older people in particular, vaccination against pneumococci makes sense, "Dr. Ursula Marschall, senior physician at Barmer.

People with weak immunity are particularly at risk

Every year, around 800,000 people in Germany contract pneumonia, which they did not contract at the hospital.

"The pneumonia is clearly one of the common diseases. Every year, more people are hospitalized than after a heart attack or stroke, "says Marschall.

"Ten percent of those affected even need to be treated in intensive care. It is the most common infectious disease leading to death, "explains the expert.

Affected are especially people with a weakened immune system, including not only many older people, but also children.

In addition, risk factors such as smoking, diabetes mellitus or neurological diseases favor the development of pneumonia.

Rapid diagnosis of pneumonia is important

But how do I recognize pneumonia? Typical symptoms are fast-rising fever, chills and cough, but also a general feeling of weakness and difficulty breathing.

However, pneumonia can also be completely atypical, which sometimes complicates the diagnosis.

Older people can be confused or they are in a kind of twilight state. And also the rise of the fever does not always have to be so drastic.

"A quick diagnosis is important in pneumonia, especially in people with a weakened immune system to prevent carry-over. If in doubt, an x-ray can help clarify it, "explains Marschall. (Ad)