What is pneumococcal pneumonia?
Pneumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious bacterial lung disease that can strike anytime without warning.
Don't confuse pneumococcal pneumonia with the flu.
Pneumococcal pneumonia is different from a cold or the flu. It’s a disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, common bacteria that can be spread from person to person through coughing or close contact.
Pneumococcal pneumonia can cause your lungs to fill with mucus, making it hard to breathe.
Watch a short video to find out more about pneumococcal pneumonia and how it may affect you.
It can disrupt your life for weeks.
Pneumococcal pneumonia not only can strike anytime but also may cause you to miss out on the things you love—and need—to do. It can:
- Cause fatigue that makes it hard to get through your day
- Put you in the hospital
- Impact your ability to work
- Leave you unable to care for loved ones
Pneumococcal pneumonia can progress to cause other problems, such as infections of the blood or tissue covering the brain or spinal cord.
Symptoms can be severe.
Some pneumococcal pneumonia symptoms may last for weeks and could include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- High fever
- Shaking chills
- Excessive sweating
- Fatigue
- Cough with phlegm that gets worse over time
Are you 65 or older, or 19 or older with certain chronic conditions?
Then you may be at an increased risk for pneumococcal pneumonia.
One vaccine. One dose. One visit.
Prevnar 20 was designed to help protect adults just like you from 20 strains of the bacteria that cause pneumococcal pneumonia. Prevnar 20 is a one-time dose, so you don't have to get it every year.
Even if you’ve already been vaccinated with another pneumonia vaccine, ask your doctor or pharmacist if Prevnar 20 could help provide additional protection.