Question

K.J. is a 17-month-old Winnebago Indian female who is brought to her pediatrician by both parents. The patient has had a 24-hour history of fever, irritability, crying, tugging at both ears, and significantly decreased appetite. Her mother reports that K."s temperature last evening was 101 degrees F and that she had difficulty sleeping despite taking ibuprofen. Mom also reports taking the child to the nurse practitioner nine days ago with cough, runny nose, and apparent earache and receiving a prescription for Pediazole. "There have been colds going around the daycare center," she informs the doctor. She has been very conscientious about giving K. her Pediazole three times a day for the past nine days. Past Medical History: Former 40-week 8 lb-1 oz infant delivered vaginally; uncomplicated prenatal course; Apgar scores WNL; was breast-fed and supplemented with formula; no surgeries or hospitalizations; immunizations are current; one episode of pneumonia at age 14 weeks; recurrent AOM x 5 during the past 14 months; most recent episode 9 days ago and currently receiving treatment with Pediazole; patient has previously received both cephalosporins and macrolides for AOM; only adverse effect has been significant diarrhea with Augmentin. Question: 1. Why is Prevnar an important vaccine for this patient?

Answer 1

K. J is having recurrent episode of acute otitis media. Also had a history of pneumonia. Prevnar vaccine is a pneumococcal vaccine given to children below 10years of age.

Pneumococcal disease is a serious infection caused by a bacteria. Pneumococcal bacteria can infect the sinuses and inner ear.

The pneumococcal vaccine is given to prevent invasive diseases caused by pneumococcal bacteria. These include pneumonia, acute middle ear infections(otitismedia), meningitis and

blood poisoning (septicaemia).

K. J is having the risk for developing pneumonia . So the vaccine is advisable.