Can pneumonia vaccines prevent mycoplasma pneumonia?

Written by Li Jiao Yan

Neonatology

Updated on September 03, 2024

00:00

00:00

There are currently two types of pneumonia vaccines available domestically: the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine and the 7-valent or 13-valent vaccines. These vaccines primarily prevent infections caused by certain serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The pneumonia vaccines cannot prevent Mycoplasma pneumonia, as Mycoplasma and Streptococcus pneumoniae are two different types of pathogens and do not share the same antibodies for protective effects. Thus, the pneumonia vaccines are mainly for preventing diseases related to Streptococcus pneumoniae infections, and are ineffective against Mycoplasma pneumonia.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Hu Xue Jun

Pulmonology

1min 28sec

home-news-image

Is pneumonia contagious?

Pneumonia can be divided into many types, including viral pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia, and those caused by special bacteria such as tuberculosis bacillus, and atypical bacteria such as Legionella, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, etc. Generally, pneumonia does not cause large-scale disseminated transmission, because most people have normal immune systems that can resist these less virulent bacteria; however, in populations with lower immunity, inhaling droplets from patients with bacterial pneumonia can potentially lead to pneumonia. However, pneumonias caused by "SARS", anthrax, pneumonic plague, etc., are highly contagious and can cause large-scale transmission through droplets, and these are strictly controlled infectious diseases in our country. In cases of open tuberculosis, the patient's sputum and cough droplets might contain the pathogen, which could then infect those in close contact. Infectious pneumonia typically has an abrupt onset, with an incubation period of 2-10 days, and fever as the initial symptom, generally above 38℃, possibly accompanied by chills, coughing, scant sputum, occasional bloody sputum, palpitations, shortness of breath, and in some cases, difficulty breathing. It may also be accompanied by muscle soreness, headaches, joint pain, fatigue, and diarrhea.

home-news-image

Written by Hu Xue Jun

Pulmonology

56sec

home-news-image

Is pneumonia serious?

Is pneumonia serious, and what will happen if it worsens or goes untreated? Severe pneumonia can lead to septic shock and can even be life-threatening. If pneumonia is not treated or not treated thoroughly, it can deteriorate into the following conditions: First, it can cause lung abscesses and empyema, and even lead to pericarditis, meningitis, and more; Second, the infection can enter the bloodstream, causing bacteremia and even septic shock; Third, the patient's continuous high fever can lead to febrile convulsions and even the possibility of coma; Fourth, extensive pneumonia can reduce the function of the alveoli, causing hypoxia and carbon dioxide retention. Hypoxia can affect the function of the nervous system, and patients with severe pneumonia may experience drowsiness, irritability, and even convulsions and coma.

home-news-image

Written by Hu Xue Jun

Pulmonology

1min 58sec

home-news-image

Types of Pneumonia

Now let's talk about what pneumonia is and its classification. Pneumonia refers to inflammation of the terminal airways, alveoli, and pulmonary interstitium. It can be caused by pathogenic microorganisms, physicochemical factors, immune damage, allergies, and drugs. Bacterial pneumonia is the most common type of pneumonia and is also one of the most common infectious diseases. The classification of pneumonia generally involves several aspects: First is the anatomical classification: from an anatomical perspective, it can be divided into lobar pneumonia (alveolar pneumonia), bronchopneumonia (bronchial pneumonia), and interstitial pneumonia. Second, the classification based on etiology, which mainly includes the following aspects. The first is bacterial pneumonia, which includes Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia, Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia, Haemophilus influenzae pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia, and Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia, etc. The second point is pneumonia caused by atypical pathogens such as Legionella, Mycoplasma, and Chlamydia. The third is viral pneumonia. The fourth refers to fungal diseases or fungal pneumonia. The fifth is pneumonia caused by other pathogens: such as rickettsiae, parasites. The sixth is pneumonia caused by physicochemical factors: such as radiation pneumonia, inhalational pneumonia, and lipid pneumonia. The third category is classification by the environment of illness, which can be divided into two types: the first is community-acquired pneumonia, and the second is hospital-acquired pneumonia.

home-news-image

Written by Hu Xue Jun

Pulmonology

1min 3sec

home-news-image

What can you eat with pneumonia?

What can pneumonia patients eat? Pneumonia is usually an acute illness, often accompanied by symptoms such as excessive phlegm, cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain, which demand strict dietary considerations. A good diet ensures that pneumonia patients get enough fluids and calories, which helps in the treatment of pneumonia. Patients can consume foods rich in quality protein, high calories, and vitamins, such as eggs, animal liver, cornmeal, buckwheat flour, and a moderate amount of fruits and vegetables. Foods like black fungus, seaweed, kelp, and mushrooms can also be included more frequently. It is important for patients to drink plenty of water. Pneumonia patients may experience fever and sweat a lot; drinking more water can help replenish fluids in a timely manner, prevent excessive loss of fluids, and more frequent urination helps in faster elimination of metabolic waste from the body, aiding in the recovery from the disease.

home-news-image

Written by Li Jiao Yan

Neonatology

55sec

home-news-image

How many doses are there for the pneumonia vaccine?

Currently, there are two types of vaccines commonly used to prevent pneumococcal diseases. One type is the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine, suitable for high-risk populations over two years old. The other type includes the 7-valent or 13-valent conjugate vaccines, used for vaccinating infants under two years old. The vaccination schedule for the 7-valent or 13-valent vaccines follows a "three plus one" program, which means three primary immunization doses with at least one month between each dose, followed by a booster dose. For the 23-valent vaccine, high-risk individuals over two years old generally require only a single dose; however, immunocompromised patients may need a booster shot, typically recommended five years after the initial vaccination.