Childhood Diseases and Resistant Bacteria

Parents beware: A new strain of strep bacteria has evaded the traditional immunization routine and has yet to be adequately treated. Until recently, the vaccine that immunizes children against Streptococcus pneumoniae was successful in staving off serious infections but now serotype 19A is on the rise. Bacteria 19A lives in the nose and throat usually without a problem but after a simple infection slips into the inner areas of the body can cause diseases.

Pneumococcal disease is the leading vaccine preventable killer of children worldwide. World Health Organization statistics show that nearly one million children die each year of this disease, most of them in the developing countries.

A vaccine is in the works but it’s nowhere near ready as clinical trials take years.