Risk factors that place a patient at higher risk of acquiring this infection include the following:
- Age greater than 65
- Patients who have co-morbidities which may include asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Patients deficient in vitamins
- Patients who smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol
- Patients who have other illnesses that result in their immune system being weakened.
Symptoms of this lobar pneumonia caused by the bacteria Streptococcus Pneumoniae also known as Pneumococcus, include:
- Fever (up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Chills
- Productive cough
- Sputum that is green in color
- Difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Diminished appetite
- Pleuritic chest pain that becomes worse with coughing or deep inhalation
- Increased heart rate
- Confusion
- Diaphoresis
Other symptoms may present based on if the bacteria has spread from the lungs into the bloodstream or into the meninges. If the bacteria has spread to the bloodstream the patient will experience symptoms of sepsis. If the bacteria spreads to the meninges he/she will experience symptoms of meningitis in addition to the pneumonia symptoms. The symptoms of meningitis may include the following: fever, headache, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light. Encephalitis and endocarditis can also result if the bacteria spread to the brain or heart respectively. Streptococcus Pneumonia is a very serious bacteria and can result in life threatening infection within a very short period of time; therefore, it must be caught early and treated to prevent repercussions that may even result in death.
