Streptococcus Pneumonia (Strep)
After my son Mark received the MMR vaccine, there were a series of ear infections. One antibiotic prescription after another given, and eventually his ear infections were gone, replaced more with respiratory infections...croupy coughs, colds mostly.
Streptococcus pneumoniae is the cause of bacterial pneumonia and meningitis in adults and otitis media (ear infections) in children. This bacteria has several members in its family and each family member is given an alphabet letter, A, B, C, D, E, through S. You more than likely have heard of Strep A...the infections you might recognize? Sore throats, skin infections, scarlet fever or streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Or maybe you have heard of Rheumatic fever? My sister had this as a child...treatment in the 1960's was lifelong antibiotics. Or maybe you have heard of Streep B? "About 25% of women carry these bugs vaginally and a baby can acquire these bacteria during delivery." Women are now screened for Strep B infections before delivery and are given antibiotics.
Want to know the problem with antibiotics and Streptococcus infections? Strep infections are now penicillin resistant. Newer drugs are being offered but these have serious side effects. Learn more in this informative class.