วัคซีนปอดอักเสบจากเชื้อนิวโมคอคคัสชนิดคอนจูเกต 20 สายพันธุ์  ป้องกันครอบคลุมมากขึ้นในเข็มเดียว

Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lungs caused by infections such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Patients often experience acute symptoms, and in severe cases, the infection can spread, leading to dangerous complications like sepsis or meningitis, which may result in disability or even death.
Fortunately, the risk of infection and severe complications can be significantly reduced through vaccination, which serves as an effective preventive measure.
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<h2>Causes of Pneumonia</h2>
Pneumonia can be caused by various factors, including:
<ol>
<li> Infections</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Viral Infections: Common viruses that cause pneumonia include Influenza virus (which causes the flu), RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), and Coronavirus (COVID-19).</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Bacterial Infections: The most common bacterial cause is Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pneumococcus). This bacterium naturally resides in the nose and throat without causing illness, but when the immune system is weakened due to stress, lack of sleep, or chronic diseases, it can spread to the lungs and cause pneumonia.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Fungal Infections: Pneumocystis jirovecii is a fungus that typically affects individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV.</li>
</ul>
<ol start="2">
<li> Other Causes</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Chemical and Air Pollutants: Exposure to cigarette smoke, fumes from burning materials, chemical vapors, cleaning agents, oil mist, and construction dust can lead to lung inflammation, though such cases are rare.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Aspiration Pneumonia: Occurs when food, liquids, or other substances are inhaled into the lungs, leading to infection and inflammation.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Certain Medications: Some drugs, including cancer treatments and chemotherapy, may cause acute lung inflammation and lower immunity, increasing the risk of secondary infections.</li>
</ul>
Recognizing these causes can help in prevention and early treatment of pneumonia.
Symptoms That May Indicate Pneumonia
Pneumonia shares symptoms with other respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, asthma exacerbation, pleural effusion, and pulmonary edema due to heart failure. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical attention promptly, as they may be warning signs of pneumonia.
Key Symptoms of Pneumonia:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">High Fever: Elevated body temperature, often accompanied by chills and shivering.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Persistent Cough: Initially a dry cough, which may later produce thick white, yellow, or greenish mucus. In some cases, blood-streaked phlegm may be present.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Difficulty Breathing: Fast breathing, shortness of breath, and chest pain that worsens when breathing deeply or coughing.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Fatigue and Weakness: Feeling easily exhausted, sometimes accompanied by muscle aches.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Nausea and Vomiting: Some individuals may experience nausea, loss of appetite, or vomiting.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Confusion or Lethargy: More common in the elderly, this can manifest as mental fog, difficulty concentrating, or unusual drowsiness.</li>
</ul>
If you or someone you know exhibits these symptoms, especially severe breathing difficulties or high fever, seeking medical attention immediately is crucial to prevent complications.
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<h2>Who Is at Risk for Pneumonia and Its Complications?</h2>
Pneumonia is an acute and serious illness that can affect people of all ages, potentially leading to severe illness or complications that may result in disability or even death. This is especially true for high-risk groups such as:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Infants and young children</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Elderly individuals</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Patients with chronic conditions, including diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Individuals with weakened immune systems or low resistance</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or long-term immunosuppressive therapy</li>
</ul>
Timely treatment can help reduce the risk of developing severe complications.
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<h2>Treatment of Pneumonia</h2>
Pneumonia is a severe illness, and if the infection spreads to the bloodstream, the severity increases dramatically, with mortality rates reaching up to 20% in young adults and as high as 60% in the elderly. Therefore, if any symptoms or suspicions of pneumonia arise, it is crucial to consult a doctor immediately for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The treatment approach for pneumonia depends on its underlying cause, such as:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Administration of Antibiotics: Patients should receive antibiotics promptly when bacterial infection is identified.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Symptomatic Care: This may include medications to reduce fever, relieve cough, and thin mucus, or even bronchodilators. Additionally, oxygen therapy may be provided to increase blood oxygen levels, along with electrolyte solutions to help maintain water and mineral balance, especially in cases of significant fluid loss due to high fever or rapid breathing.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Monitoring to Prevent Complications: Close observation is necessary to avoid complications, which might involve procedures to drain pus or fluid from the lungs if an abscess or pleural effusion is present. In complex cases, a bronchoscopy may be performed to aid in further diagnosis and treatment.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Rehabilitation and Respiratory Physiotherapy: Techniques such as coughing exercises and mucus clearance strategies are employed to enhance the delivery of antibiotics to the infection site, promote faster recovery, and reduce the length of hospital stays.</li>
</ul>
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<h2>Prevention of Pneumonia Caused by Pneumococcal Bacteria</h2>
Pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria can spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or contact with respiratory secretions. Therefore, in addition to avoiding crowded places and close contact with infected individuals, it is important to prevent the disease by getting vaccinated with the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20).
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<h2>Benefits of the 20-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV20)</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Broad Protection: 
PCV20 protects against 20 of the most common pneumococcal serotypes in Thailand, covering over 80% of the strains that cause disease. It covers up to 86.8% of strains responsible for bloodstream infections in individuals aged 61 and older, and 83.2% in all age groups. In addition, it protects against approximately 84.9% of the serotypes that cause pneumonia in individuals aged 18 and above.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Reduction in Reinfection and Severe Complications: 
The vaccine helps lower the risk of recurrent infections and severe complications such as bloodstream infections, meningitis, and even death.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Enhanced Immune Response: 
The vaccine&#8217;s structure, which includes added proteins, stimulates a stronger immune response compared to polysaccharide vaccines. This results in more effective immunity.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Single-Dose Administration: 
Only one dose is required for both those who have previously received the pneumococcal vaccine and those who have not.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Suitable for All Ages: 
PCV20 can be administered to individuals starting from 6 weeks of age. It is also recommended for adults aged 19 to 64 with underlying conditions (such as chronic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or chronic kidney failure), those with weakened immune systems or low immunity due to various causes, as well as for healthy elderly individuals aged 65 and older.</li>
</ul>
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Even if you appear physically strong, a decline in immunity during middle age or having chronic illnesses that weaken the body can increase your risk of infections—especially pneumonia. This serious disease not only affects your long-term health but also requires prolonged treatment and can incur high medical costs, with the added risk of severe complications.
Start taking care of your health today by consulting with us or scheduling an appointment for the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20), or other vaccines, at the Vaccine Center of Phyathai 2 Hospital, to ensure a long healthy life in a long-term future.

Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lungs caused by infections such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Patients often experience acute symptoms, and in severe cases, the infection can spread, leading to dangerous complications like sepsis or meningitis, which may result in disability or even death.

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The 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine provides broader protection in a single dose.

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