According to Dr. Schuchat, MD, director of CDC’s National Centre for Immunization and Respirtory Disease, in the Denver metropolitan area, 1 of 10 active bacterial core surveillance sites where investigation into this issue is ongoing, the number of cases of invasive pneumococcal disease has tripled compared with the 5-year average for the month of October.

Dr. schuchat said, “Most of that increase has been in adults under the age of 60. The findings in Denver probably reflect findings that are occurring in other parts of the country where the surveillance hasn’t been as intensive”.

Pneumococcal Disease is a group of illnesses caused by the streptococcus pneumoniae bug.
It can result in dangerous infections such as;
- Meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord),
- Pneumonia (lung infection),
- Bacteremia (blood infection) and,
- Sinusitis (infection of the sinuses).
These infections can also lead to hearing loss, learning disabilities, brain damage, paralysis and sometimes, even death.

Pneumococcal Disease is often difficult to diagnose, hard to treat and progresses very quickly.
It can be difficult to diagnose Pneumococcal Disease symptoms as they are similar to those of the common cold, such as fever, cough, and runny nose.

However, the symptoms vary accordingly to each condition:

- Pneumonia: fever, cough, chills, chest congestion and rapid breathing. Often, in young children, these symptoms can mimic symptoms of the common cold.

- Meningitis: fever, severe headache, inability to look at bright lights, nausea, vomiting and stiff neck.

- Bacteraemia: high fever associated with other non-specific symptoms such as fever and headache.

- Acute otitis media (middle ear infections): earache, fever and muffled hearing. Younger kids may also tug their earlobe frequently.

Dr. Schuchat said, regarding the safety of the H1N1 vaccine that, “so far, everything that we’ve reviewed is extremely reassuring, with patterns similar to that observed with the seasonal flu vaccine.

She said again, the findings highlight the fact that, “pandemics put us at risk for not just flu problems but also bacterial pneumonia problems, and they also point to the need for prevention efforts.”