Treatment of Pneumococci Infection

 

 

Treatment

 

In the past, patients used to be treated with type-specific antiserum but these are no longer used. Benzylpenicillin is the drug of choice although resistance to this agent is found occasionally, being due to mutations in its penicillin-binding proteins. Erthromycin or clindamycin may be used to treat pneumonia in patients with known hypersensitivity to penicillin.

 

 

Prevention

 

A pneucoccal vaccine consisting of 23 capsular Ags is now available, and its administration  to individuals at high risk of serious/fatal infections is recommended. Such individuals include the elderly and individuals with debilitating diseases.