Core Measures: Pneumonia
What you need to know
Claire Marie Juan
Gonzaga University
NURS 561

What is Pneumonia?

• Common lung infection that consists of many small germs
• Causes: virus, fungi, or bacteria
• Treatment: only effective if main cause is known
• Most common in: children and young adults
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Who is at risk?

• people 65 years or older
• very young
• has certain health problems
• weak immune system
• smokers

pneumonia prevention

• Pneumonia vaccine: Pneumococcal Polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV)
• Protects against 24 types of pneumococcal bacteria
• the very old, 2 or below, and long term illness may not respond to vaccine
• Another time of vaccine: Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) 
• recommended for children 5 years old or below 

Who should get the vaccine?

• adults 65 years or older
• anyone between 2 - 64 who has long term illness
• anyone between 2 -64 who has a disease that can't resist infection
• adults 19 - 64 who smokes and has asthma

Side/Adverse effects of the vaccine:

• Side Effects: redness or pain in area of shot
• fever, muscle aches
• Adverse Effects: high fever, allergic reaction, hives, difficulty breathing
• wheezing, high heart rate
• If adverse effects, call the doctor and give information on vaccine

Quick Facts about pneumonia

• the pneumonia vaccine is the leading cause of vaccine preventable illness 
• 1 out of 20 people gets killed by pneumonia 
• Flu and Pneumonia are the 8th leading cause of death. 

Reference:

1. (2014, September 18). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved October 13, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/vaccination.html

Immunization Science. (n.d.). Effectiveness of Pneumococcal Vaccines in Adults -. Retrieved October 11, 2014, from http://www.immunizationinfo.org/science/effectiveness-pneumococcal-vaccines...
Pneumonia Fact Sheet - American Lung Association. (n.d.). American Lung Association. Retrieved October 12, 2014, from http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/influenza/in-depth-resources/pneumonia-fac...