Read condition-specific symptoms and clinical context for Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumococci can live in the nose and throat without causing illness.
Pneumococci can live in the nose and throat without causing illness. They can also cause pneumonia, meningitis, bloodstream infection, and ear or sinus infections. Symptoms depend on the infected body site. This profile separates carriage from disease; it cannot predict whether a colonized person will become ill.
Possible signs of lung infection; other pneumococcal conditions have different symptoms.
Possible symptoms: Cough; Chest pain; Fever and chills; Rapid or difficult breathing.
Seek medical care promptly for a suspected serious infection, especially difficulty breathing or low alertness.
Possible signs when infection involves the lining around the brain and spinal cord.
Possible symptoms: Headache and stiff neck; Sensitivity to light; Confusion; Fever.
Possible meningitis needs urgent medical assessment.
Bacteria can live in the nose and throat without causing the infections described here.
Carriage or infection can be present without the disease symptoms listed above.
Clinical context and appropriate testing distinguish carriage from illness.
Source check: 2026-09-19. Educational content; independent scientific review remains pending.