Why do we need vaccines?
Vaccines save lives by protecting us against infectious diseases like measles, mumps and whooping cough.
How do vaccines work?
When you receive a vaccine it helps your body create antibodies. Antibodies are your body's defensive cells that fight off germs. Sometimes your body can create antibodies on its own. But the diseases you get vaccines for are very dangerous. Most people get very sick and some die before enough antibodies are produced.
What are some of the infectious diseases vaccines offer protection from?
Hib: This vaccine protects us from the Haemophilus Influenza type b bacteria that causes meningitis.
Menigitis is an inflammation of the cover that surrounds the brain and can cause brain damage. Also these bacteria can infect the blood, joints, bones, muscles, throat and the cover surrounding the heart. This is especially dangerous for babies.
Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis (DTP): Diphtheria is an infection that attacks the throat, mouth and nose. This is a very contagious disease, but rare ever since the vaccine was created. Diphtheria can form a gray web that may completely cover the windpipe and can prevent breathing.If this disease is not treated right away it could cause pneumonia, heart failure or paralysis.
Tetanus is an infection caused by a bacteria found in dirt, gravel and rusty metal. It usually enters the body through a cut. Tetanus bacteria causes the muscles to move suddenly and sometimes uncontrollably. If tetanus attacks the jaw muscles it causes lockjaw, the inability to open and close your mouth. Tetanus can also cause the breathing muscles to spasm and can be deadly.
You may know pertussis by its more common name, Whooping Cough. Pertussis is a bacteria that clogs the lungs with a thick, slimy mucous. This can cause a severe cough that sounds like a "whoop." The cough can last for 2 months and allows for other bacteria such as pneumonia and bronchitis to attack the body.
Polio: Polio can paralyze the legs and chest making walking and breathing difficult or impossible. The first symptoms of polio are fever, sore throat, headache and a stiff neck. Polio is very rare since the vaccine became available.
MMR: The first M in MMR stands for Measles. Measles is a highly contagious disease that causes a high fever, cough, and a spotty rash all over. It may also cause ear infections and pneumonia.
The second M in MMR stands for Mumps. Mumps causes painful swollen salivary glands which are under the jaw, as well as a fever and a headache. Mumps also may cause meningitis or hearing loss.
The R in MMR stands for Rubella. Rubella is also called German Measles. It is most dangerous for women who are pregnant. Rubella can cause a mother to have a miscarriage or deliver a baby with heart disease, blindness, hearing loss or learning problems. Rubella is a mild disease in kids.
Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B causes extreme tiredness and jaundice. Jaundice is when all the white parts on your body, like your eyes, teeth and nails, turn yellow. Hepatitis B may also cause the liver to stop working.
Chicken Pox: Chicken pox is a virus. It causes an itchy rash and a fever. You can catch it from someone who already has it if you touch an open blister on that person's skin or if that person sneezes or coughs around you. Not everyone gets the vaccine, so lots of kids still get chicken pox.
Hepatitis A: A serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV).
Meningococcal: Meningococcal disease is an illness caused by bacteria. Meningitis is an infection of the brain and spinal cord coverings that can also cause blood infections.
Rabies: Rabies infection is serious, and often fatal, if it isn't prevented. Vaccination induces active immunity against rabies virus either before (pre- exposure immunization) an exposure occurs or after (post-exposure prophylaxis) an exposure. Rabies shots need to be given as soon as possible after a bite has occurred, before symptoms appear.
Pneumococcal: Streptococcus pneumonia bacteria can cause serious illness and death -- approximately 200 deaths each year among children under 5 years old. The pneumococcal vaccine helps prevent pneumococcal disease.
Influenza: Influenza is a virus that infects the respiratory tract that can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people. The flu kills an estimated 36,000 people and causes more than 200,000 hospitalizations per year in the United States. Annual flu vaccination is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get the flu.
Know more about vaccines at the FDA Website.
Page Updated: Mar 08 2007
