Streptococcus pneumonia is a bacterium that can infect several organ systems in humans, resulting in various diseases. It commonly affects the respiratory tract, accounting for everything from ear infections to pneumonia (lung infection). The symptoms of streptococcus pneumonia do not differ significantly from any other bacterial pneumonia.
Cough
One of the main symptoms of pneumonia is the presence of a cough, which often produces sputum, and in the case of streptococcus pneumonia, the sputum tends to have be rust-colored. If the sputum is tested, the streptococcus bacterium can often be isolated. Occasionally, the sputum contains streaks of blood
Chest Pain
Many people experience chest pain that is aggravated by taking deep breaths or when coughing. This pain is the result of the inflammatory process caused by the infection, as well as the inflamed lungs coming in contact with the inner chest wall during movement. The pain may be quite severe, necessitating specific treatment in addition to antibiotic treatment for the pneumonia.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is often a chief symptom of pneumonias caused by different organisms, and streptococcal pneumonia is no different. Shortness of breath develops for two reasons. First, the lungs' ability to function is impaired, leading to inadequate oxygen transfer into the bloodstream. To compensate, faster breaths are taken in an attempt to increase oxygen in the blood. Secondly, as the infected lungs inflate with each breath, they come in contact with the chest wall, which causes pain and "shortens" the breath.
Fever
A fever most often develops as part of the body's response to the infection within the lungs. The fever may worsen if the bacteria enter the bloodstream
Non-Specific Symptoms
A number of other symptoms may develop that are not specific to streptococcal pneumonia. These include fatigue, malaise and lethargy. These symptoms may occur in any illness, and their presence does not necessarily give any indication of the severity of the pneumonia.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Dr. Anthony Fauci et al; 2009
