Treatment of pneumococcal infection
Last reviewed: 19.10.2021
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
In severe forms, antibiotics must be prescribed.
- In light and medium-sized forms (nasopharyngitis, bronchitis, otitis, etc.), phenoxymethylpenicillin (vepicombe) can be administered at 5000-100 000 units / kg per day in 4 doses or penicillin at the same dose 3 times a day intramuscularly for 5- 7 days.
- Patients with croupous pneumonia or meningitis are prescribed cephalosporin, a new antibiotic of the third or fourth generation. In the course of treatment with antibiotics, it is desirable to check the sensitivity of isolated pneumococci to the prescribed preparation and, if necessary, replace it. Simultaneously with antibiotic therapy, probiotics are administered (acipol, etc.). In the last 2 years, the pneumococcus strains that are resistant to many antibiotics have become increasingly common. To enhance the effect of antibacterial therapy, it is recommended to prescribe polyenzymatic preparation vobenzim.
In severe forms of pneumococcal infection, in addition to antibiotics, an infusion, pathogenetic, general restorative and symptomatic therapy is prescribed, the principles of which are the same as for other infectious diseases.
Forecast
With pneumococcal meningitis, mortality is about 10-20% (in the preantibiotic era - 100%). In other forms of the disease, lethal cases are rare. They occur, as a rule, in children with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, long-term treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, in children with congenital malformations.