Streptococcus pneumoniae is Inactivated by Germicidal UV Light

What is Streptococcus pneumoniae?

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a round-shaped bacteria typically found in pairs or short chains. While infection by this pathogenic bacteria is a leading cause of Pneumonia, it is also responsible for other pneumococcal infections, such as bronchitis, sinusitis, meningitis, and conjunctivitis. The broad range of illnesses resulting from exposure to this bacterium are referred to as Pneumococcal diseasesopen_in_new. They are most common in the months of winter and early springopen_in_new, and they predominantly infect patients older than 65 years and younger than two.

S. pneumoniae can be carried by asymptomatic people in their nose and throat. All it takes for the bacteria to spread is a cough, sneeze, kiss, or the sharing of a toyopen_in_new. Most immune systems can ward off attacks from the pathogen. However, those with compromised immune systems are more likely to succumb to infection.

Where is it found?

Man spewing respiratory droplets of Streptococcus pneumoniae — Contaminated Droplets

Hand pushing open door in bathroom stall containing Streptococcus pneumoniae — Contaminated Surfaces

What can it infect?

Woman with nose and throat showing through skin — Respiratory Tract

Man with lungs and upper respiratory tract showing — Lungs

How does it spread?

Nose breathing in streptococcus pneumoniae droplets — Inhaling
Droplets

Hand about to touch handrail — Touching Surfaces

Preventing the Spread of Streptococcus pneumoniae

The spread of S. pneumoniae can be minimized by:

Getting available vaccines
Avoiding sick people
Getting plenty of rest
Washing hands frequently
Covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing

Get More Protection with UV Disinfection

In addition to the above preventative measures, germicidal ultraviolet (UV-C) air and surface disinfection can inactivate Streptococcus pneumoniae in high-risk locations such as schools, daycare centers, medical facilities, and nursing homes. Shop our products at AtlanticUltraviolet.comopen_in_new.

Learn about these applications:

Room Air Purification

View all UV-C Application Pages.

Our germicidal lamps produce ultraviolet wavelengths at 254 nanometers, the region of maximum germicidal effectiveness. Read our FAQ blog post to learn more. See dosage data below.

Streptococcus pneumoniae: Classification & UV-C Dose for Inactivation

Organism:	Alternate Name:	Type:	Disease:	*UV Dose:**
Streptococcus pneumoniae	Pneumococcus	Bacteria	Pneumococcal disease	46.8 mJ/cm²

* Nominal Ultraviolet dosage necessary to inactivate better than 99% of microorganisms. See sources below.

People at High Risk of Infection

Children younger than 2
People 65 years or older
People with weakened immune systems
People with chronic illnesses such as lung, heart, or kidney disease, or diabetes
People with asthma or COPD
Alcoholics and smokers

You’re more likely to contract an infection from Streptococcus pneumoniae if you:

Are a child in daycare
Reside in an assisted living facility

Streptococcus pneumoniae Symptoms

After S. pneumoniae enters the body, it takes roughly 1–3 days for symptoms to appear. These symptoms run the gamut from mild to severe and are listed here:

Fever
Cough
Chills
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Disorientation

More severe symptoms associated with advanced infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae are as follows:

High heart rate
Shivering
Extreme pain or discomfort
Clammy or sweaty skin

The best defense against the risk of infection from Streptococcus pneumoniae, especially for infants, is freely-offered government immunizationopen_in_new. Other treatment options include pain-relieving meds, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest. Antibiotics are prescribed. However, emerging antibiotic resistanceopen_in_new is a threat to effective therapy. Severe cases resulting from complications may require admission to a hospital.

Possible Complications from Streptococcus pneumoniae

Some Streptococcus pneumoniae infections can cause:

Brain damage
Hearing loss
Limb loss
Death

Sources on Streptococcus pneumoniae

The above information can be found on the following pages.

Dosage Source

Ultraviolet Radiation for the Sterilization of Contact Lenses. David C. Gritz et al., 1990open_in_new

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