The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is used to expose the body to a small dose of the bacteria responsible for causing pneumococcal disease. By providing the body with this bacteria, the body can develop antibodies to destroy it and make...
The bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae causes potentially serious illnesses, including pneumonia, middle ear infections, meningitis and bacteremia (infection of the blood), and according to the World Health Organization (WHO) causes nearly 1...
Pneumovax, also known as pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent, is a vaccine used to prevent pneumococcal disease caused by the streptococcus pneumonia bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Pneumoccal disease can lead to...
The pneumonia vaccine--also called pneumococcal conjugate vaccine--is recommended for nearly everyone, but especially for children and adults who have other health conditions that could lead to serious complications if pneumonia is contracted,...
The pneumonia shot is given for the prevention of illness caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Pneumococcal infection can cause serious problems, such as pneumonia, which affects the lungs; meningitis, which affects the brain;...
You contract meningitis the same way you catch a cold or the flu. It is a contagious bacterial infection, so risky behaviors include kissing, sharing eating utensils or toothbrushes, sharing drinks, food or cigarettes. An infected person can pass...
The final stage of kidney disease is called renal failure or end stage renal disease--ESRD. Since the kidneys are essential, aggressive management by physicians, dietians, nurses and dialysis techs is necessary to support life. Since ESRD always...
Bacterial meningitis is a dangerous infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord that is caused by a variety of bacteria, according to MayoClinic.com. The classic symptoms are a severe headache, fever and a stiff neck, which...
There are many ways to protect your 1-year-old from injury and harm. One is to get your child vaccinated. Vaccination not only protects children from illness and disease, it also boosts their immune system. This protects the general public, as...
Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, also known as meninges caused by a bacterial infection. There are three main types of bacterial meningitis: meningococcal, pneumococcal and HiB....
The meninges are the protective layer of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord. The illness meningitis is an infection of this protective layer. Bacteria or viruses can cause meningitis. While viral meningitis is more common, bacterial...
Meningitis is an inflammation and swelling of the membranes surrounding brain or the spinal cord. It can be infectious, caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites, or non-infectious, due to complications of another illness or exposure to...
Chronic renal failure, or chronic kidney disease, is a medical condition in which the kidneys gradually lose their ability to function. Because the kidneys are responsible for filtering waste from the blood, declining performance can lead to...
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient with profound effects on human health. It is naturally present in animal derived foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk and other dairy products. Since the body cannot manufacture B12, it must be...
A pneumococcal vaccine is an injectable treatment administered to patients to help prevent pneumococcal diseases, such as pneumonia or meningitis. There are two types of this vaccine: conjugate and polysaccharide. The conjugate pneumococcal...
