The success of vaccination has led to a generation of parents with little familiarity with the symptoms and effects of many childhood diseases. Descriptions of these illnesses and the vaccination recommendations can help you better understand the importance of protecting your child from these 16 vaccine-preventable diseases.
Diphtheria
Diphtheria causes a thick covering in the back of the throat. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and even death. There are several combination vaccines used to prevent diphtheria: DTaP, Tdap, DT, and Td.
Haemophilus influenzae type b
Haemophilus influenzae type b is a bacterium that can cause meningitis (an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord), pneumonia (lung infection), epiglottitis (a severe throat infection) and other serious infections. The Hib vaccine is recommended for all children under 5 years old in the United States, and it is usually given to infants starting at two months old. The Hib vaccine can be combined with other vaccines. In the U.S., the Hib vaccine is also available combined with DTP and Hep B vaccines (DTP+HepB+Hib).
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Hepatitis A can affect anyone. The Hep A vaccine is available for long-term prevention of HAV infection in persons 1 year of age and older. Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation can also help prevent the spread of hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. Hep B vaccine is available for all age groups to prevent HBV infection.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that is spread through sexual contact. Most of the time, HPV has no symptoms so people do not know they have it. There are approximately 40 types of genital HPV. Some types can cause cervical cancer in women and can also cause other kinds of cancer in both men and women. Other types can cause genital warts in both males and females. The HPV vaccine works by preventing the most common types of HPV that cause cervical cancer and genital warts. It is given as a 3-dose vaccine.
Influenza (Flu)
Influenza is a highly contagious infection that can cause severe respiratory distress in children. Children can also pass along the flu virus to the elderly and other vulnerable populations. Influenza can lead to pneumonia and can be dangerous for people with heart or breathing conditions. It can cause high fever and seizures in children. On average, 226,000 people are hospitalized every
year because of influenza and 36,000 die – mostly elderly. The flu vaccine can be administered annually through an injection into the arm or a mist sprayed into the nose.
Measles
Measles is a highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease and the most deadly of all childhood rash/fever illnesses. It causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms, including a fever, cough, and runny nose, and is spread by droplets or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons. The combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best protection you can give your child against measles. Children should be given the first dose of MMR vaccine soon after their first birthday (12 to 15 months of age). The second dose is recommended before the start of the kindergarten.
Meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord which causes severe illness and can cause death. In the past, most meningitis cases occurred in children younger than 5 years. But as a result of the protection offered by current childhood vaccines, most meningitis cases now occur in young people between the ages of 15 and 24. Older adults also tend to have a higher incidence of meningitis than do young children. A single dose of Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) is recommended for children ages 11 to 12 or to any children ages 11 to 18 who haven't yet been vaccinated. However, this vaccine can be given to younger children who are at high risk of bacterial meningitis or who have been exposed to someone with the disease. It is approved for use in children as young as 2 years old.
Mumps
Mumps is caused by a virus that usually spreads through saliva and can infect many parts of the body, especially the parotid salivary glands. These glands, which produce saliva for the mouth, are found toward the back of each cheek, in the area between the ear and jaw. In cases of mumps, these glands typically swell and become painful. The combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best protection you can give your child against mumps. Children should be given the first dose of MMR vaccine soon after their first birthday (12 to 15 months of age). The second dose is recommended before the start of the kindergarten.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. Although it initially resembles an ordinary cold, whooping cough may eventually turn more serious, particularly in infants. Whooping cough is most contagious before the coughing starts. The best way to prevent it is through vaccinations. The childhood vaccine is called DTaP. The whooping cough booster vaccine for adolescents and adults is called Tdap. Both protect against whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria.
Pneumococcus
Pneumococcus is the leading cause of serious illness among young children worldwide. It is the most frequent cause of meningitis, blood infection, pneumonia, sinusitis and ear infections. Pneumococcus is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States, and about 8% of children with pneumococcal meningitis die of the infection, while 1 out of 4 surviving children, or more, have neurologic damage including hearing loss after "getting over" the infection. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV 7) is recommended for all children aged 2-23 months and for at-risk children aged 24-59 months. The normally 4-doses series is given at 2, 4, 6 & 12 - 14 months of age.
Poliomyelitis (Polio)
Poliomyelitis is an infectious disease caused by a virus that lives in the throat and intestinal tract. It is most often spread through person-to-person contact with the stool of an infected person and may also be spread through oral/nasal secretions. Polio used to be very common in the United States and caused severe illness in thousands of people each year before a polio vaccine was introduced in 1955. Most people infected with the polio virus have no symptoms, however for the less than 1% who develop paralysis, it may result in permanent disability and even death. There are two types of vaccines that protect against polio: Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) and Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). Used in the U.S. since 2000, IPV is given as an injection in the leg or arm, depending on age. Polio vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines. Most people should get polio vaccine when they are children. Children get 4 doses of IPV at the following ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and a booster dose at 4-6 years. OPV has not been used in the U.S. since 2000 but is still used in many parts of the world.
Rubella (German Measles)
Rubella, commonly known as German measles, is an infection that primarily affects the skin and lymph nodes. It is caused by the rubella virus, which is usually transmitted by droplets from the nose or throat that others breathe in. It can also pass through a pregnant woman's bloodstream to infect her unborn child. As this is a generally mild disease in children, the primary medical danger of rubella is the infection of pregnant women, which may cause congenital rubella syndrome in developing babies. The combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best protection you can give your child against rubella. Children should be given the first dose of MMR vaccine soon after their first birthday (12 to 15 months of age). The second dose is recommended before the start of the kindergarten.
Tetanus (Lockjaw)
Tetanus (lockjaw) is a serious disease that causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 in 10 cases. Several vaccines are used to prevent tetanus among children, adolescents, and adults including DTaP, Tdap, DT, and Td.
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Receiving the varicella vaccine is the best way for children to prevent contracting chickenpox. Vaccination not only protects vaccinated persons, it also reduces the risk for exposure in the community for persons unable to be vaccinated because of illness or other conditions, including those who may be at greater risk for severe disease. While no vaccine is 100% effective in preventing disease, the chickenpox vaccine is very effective: about 8 to 9 of every 10 people who are vaccinated are completely protected from chickenpox. In addition, the vaccine almost always prevents against severe disease. If a vaccinated person does get chickenpox, it is usually a very mild case lasting only a few days and involving fewer skin lesions (usually less than 50), mild or no fever, and fewer symptoms.
