60% of the fatality rate of bacteremia is caused by the nasal cavity? Medical warning: COVID-19 vaccine alone cannot prevent bacterial pneumonia
Is it still possible to get pneumonia if you only take the COVID-19 vaccine? Streptococcus pneumoniae may take advantage of the situation and enter
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country has approached 3 million. People who are infected with the virus must not only be careful of severe symptoms, but also pay attention to possible concurrent bacterial infections. Research shows that patients diagnosed with COVID-19 are also prone to Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. Streptococcus pneumoniae usually lurks in the nasopharynx and may invade the human body when the immune system is low, adding another level of infection risk to those who have not received the Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine.
The Li Qingyun Children’s Infection and Vaccine Development Medical Culture and Education Foundation announced a survey based on statistics of 1,089 adults over 50 years old and found that as many as 66% of those who have received the COVID-19 vaccine have not received the pneumococcal vaccine and 52% have not received the influenza vaccine. Research has found that 60% of bacterial infections associated with COVID-19 are from Streptococcus pneumoniae. High-risk groups should prevent Streptococcus pneumoniae from taking advantage of the situation as soon as possible.
Dr. Huang Limin, chairman of the Li Qingyun Children’s Infection and Vaccine Development Medical Culture and Education Foundation, said that most vaccines provide protection against one pathogen alone, such as the new crown vaccine, which provides protection against the new coronavirus. If you only get the COVID-19 vaccine, it may be difficult to prevent the invasion of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Statistics found that the proportion of hospitalized patients diagnosed with bacterial infections and admitted to the intensive care unit was twice that of general residents. The elderly and those with chronic diseases are the first to bear the brunt. Dr. Huang Limin pointed out that the mortality rate of bacteremia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in the elderly is as high as 60%. While preventing viral pneumonia, we must also prevent the threat of bacterial pneumonia.
Streptococcus pneumoniae may cause septicemia and meningitis! Doctors urge all three vaccines to be administered
Dr. Ye Dehui, Chairman of the Taiwan Rhinology Society and Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital, reminded that Streptococcus pneumoniae usually lurks in the nasopharynx and presents an asymptomatic carrier state. The average carrier rate in adults is 5-10%. Once the human body is infected with other diseases, When immunity is weakened, Streptococcus pneumoniae may invade organs through the respiratory tract or blood. Its symptoms vary depending on the site of infection. It may cause sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis and other invasive diseases, and may even be fatal in severe cases.
Dr. Ye Dehui emphasized that the nasal cavity is an important organ of the upper respiratory tract. To prevent pneumonia, we must first strengthen the health of the nasal cavity to reduce the invasion of viruses and bacteria on the human body. In addition, vaccination must be combined. It is recommended that to completely improve the protection against pneumonia, one should be vaccinated against COVID-19, Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza to create a complete protection network.
Chronic diseases and low immunity require vaccination to strengthen “passive immunity”
People over 50 years old who have chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, are more likely to increase their risk of pneumonia infection. Dr. Huang Limin explained that the body’s immune response is divided into “active immunity” and “passive immunity.” When Streptococcus pneumoniae breaks through the defense line of the nasal mucosa, it will cause the body’s active immunity to fail and cause infection.
Dr. Huang Limin pointed out that groups with low immunity such as chronic diseases especially need to strengthen passive immunity, that is, vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae to help protect the nasopharyngeal mucosa, reduce the rate of bacterial carriage in the nasal cavity, and block the spread of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Pneumococcal vaccine divided into two doses can be given one year apart
Taiwan’s existing pneumococcal vaccines are divided into two types: 23-valent “polysaccharide vaccine” and 13-valent “conjugate vaccine”. Dr. Huang Limin said that the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine targets many strains and has a wide range of protection, but it has not yet fully covered the top three major strains prevalent in Taiwan. The 13-valent conjugate vaccine has immune memory and the protective effect can be maintained for a long time. And can prevent strains prevalent in Taiwan.
According to the recommendations of the US Advisory Committee on Vaccination (ACIP) and Taiwan’s Department of Health and Welfare’s Disease Control and Prevention, if you are over 65 years old and have not received the pneumococcal vaccine, it is recommended to receive one dose of the 13-valent conjugate vaccine first, and then another dose one year later. dose of 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine. For groups with a high risk of infection, it is recommended that both vaccines be administered to help prevent the occurrence of pneumonia.
Further reading:
