Essay: Streptococcus pneumoniae

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterial pathogen found generally in humans. “In 1881 S. pneumoniae was discovered by Leo Escolar and was isolated/grown by Louis Pasteur and George Sternberg.” (Cristina Jackson 1) Streptococcus pneumoniae causes multiple diseases, the most common being pneumonia. Other diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae include otitis media, bacteremia, meningitis, peritonitis, and sinusitis. Pneumonia, and other diseases caused by streptococcus pneumoniae could potentially be deadly if not treated properly. People with weaker immune systems (such as the elderly or young children) are more likely to contract a disease caused by streptococcus pneumoniae. The bacterial pathogen is mainly spread through person-to-person contact or aerosol droplets (Robert Ballough 1).
“During the late 1800s and early 1900s, pneumonia was the leading cause of death due to infectious disease and the third leading cause of death overall.” (Susan Chow, Ph.D.) If someone were to contract a disease derived from streptococcus pneumoniae 100 years ago, specifically pneumonia, there would be slim to no chances of survival due to the lack of medicinal advances. The main cure/treatment for pneumonia involved the use of penicillin which was not used to treat a patient until 1942. If a person would have caught a disease derived from streptococcus pneumoniae 30 years ago, their chances of survival would be much higher. Because of the vast improvements in the use of penicillin, treatment rates became much higher in a very short period of time. The first use of american penicillin was to treat streptococcal septicemia on March 14, 1942. That was one of the biggest medical advancements in history.
If someone were to be infected with a disease derived from streptococcus pneumoniae today, I would say they would have maybe a 90% chance of surviving. The reason I believe there is a 10% chance of death is because of the increased resistance to medication that bacteria is showing. In the mid to late 1900’s, penicillin and other common antibiotics would treat diseases derived from streptococcus pneumoniae fairly quickly and effectively. However, in today’s day and age, many diseases derived from streptococcus pneumoniae are extremely strong and have evolved to become extremely resistant against antibiotics. Many of the antibiotics used to treat diseases derived from streptococcus pneumoniae have become ineffective due to antibiotic resistance. “Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in response to the use of these medicines.” (World Health Organization 1).
If someone were to be affected by a disease derived from streptococcus pneumoniae in 10 years, they would have mixed chances for survival. The reason I say this is because of antibiotic resistance. In 10 years, many of the antibiotics used now could very well become ineffective. Scientists today are already having a hard time dealing with ineffective antibiotics. Many new treatments are being created, however, they may already become ineffective in 10 years. I also believe there will be a higher rate of survival from diseases from streptococcus pneumoniae. I believe this because in 10 years, there will be incredible medical advancements and breakthroughs.
Throughout history, we have learned that as time goes on, bacteria will grow stronger. One example of this was the outbreak of pneumonia. During the mid 1970’s, the use of penicillin was the go to cure for pneumonia. As time went on, some variations of the disease became antibiotic resistant, resulting in diseases without a cure. As more time went on, more variations of the disease evolved or mutated to become resistant to certain antibiotics. The streptococcus pneumoniae organism has caused many illnesses for hundreds of years, with the advancement of medical technology, perhaps this organism could be on the path to extinction.