Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Vaccine preventable diseases are illnesses that can be prevented or reduced in severity through vaccination. These diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens that can be spread from person to person, and can cause significant morbidity and mortality.

Types of Vaccine Preventable Diseases

• Diphtheria: a bacterial infection that affects the throat and upper respiratory tract, causing severe coughing, difficulty breathing, and potentially life-threatening complications.
• Hepatitis A and B: viral infections that affect the liver, causing symptoms such as jaundice, fatigue, and abdominal pain.
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis, pneumonia, and other serious illnesses, particularly in young children.
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV): a viral infection that can cause cervical cancer, genital warts, and other cancers.
• Influenza: a viral infection that affects the respiratory tract, causing symptoms such as fever, cough, and body aches.
• Measles: a viral infection that causes fever, rash, and potentially serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis.
• Meningococcal disease: a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and sepsis, particularly in young children and adolescents.
• Mumps: a viral infection that causes fever, headache, and swelling of the salivary glands.
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough): a bacterial infection that affects the respiratory tract, causing severe coughing and potentially life-threatening complications in infants.
• Pneumococcal disease: a bacterial infection that can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and other serious illnesses, particularly in older adults and young children.
• Polio: a viral infection that can cause paralysis, muscle weakness, and potentially life-threatening complications.
• Rubella (German Measles): a viral infection that causes fever, rash, and potentially serious complications such as birth defects if contracted during pregnancy.
• Tetanus: a bacterial infection that can cause muscle stiffness, spasms, and potentially life-threatening complications.
• Varicella (Chickenpox): a viral infection that causes fever, rash, and potentially serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis.

Symptoms of Vaccine Preventable Diseases

The symptoms of vaccine preventable diseases can vary depending on the specific disease, but common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Rash
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle or joint pain
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures or convulsions

Treatments for Vaccine Preventable Diseases

The treatments for vaccine preventable diseases can vary depending on the specific disease, but common treatments include:

• Antibiotics: used to treat bacterial infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis.
• Antiviral medications: used to treat viral infections such as influenza, herpes simplex, and HIV.
• Pain management: used to relieve symptoms such as headache, fever, and muscle pain.
• Supportive care: used to manage symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing.
• Vaccination: used to prevent vaccine preventable diseases by building immunity against specific pathogens.
• Isolation: used to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by separating infected individuals from others.

Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases

The best way to prevent vaccine preventable diseases is through vaccination. Vaccines work by:

• Building immunity: vaccines introduce a small, harmless piece of a pathogen or a weakened form of the pathogen to the body, which triggers an immune response and builds immunity.
• Preventing infection: vaccines can prevent infection by blocking the pathogen from entering the body or by reducing the severity of symptoms if infection occurs.
• Reducing transmission: vaccines can reduce the spread of infectious diseases by preventing infected individuals from transmitting the disease to others.

It is essential to follow the recommended vaccination schedule and to stay up-to-date on all recommended vaccinations to prevent vaccine preventable diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are vaccine preventable diseases?
Diseases that can be prevented with vaccines, such as measles and polio.

How do vaccines work?
Vaccines introduce a weakened or killed form of a disease to build immunity.

Which diseases can be prevented with vaccines?
Measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.

Are vaccines safe?
Yes, vaccines are thoroughly tested and proven to be safe.

Can vaccines cause the disease they prevent?
No, vaccines cannot cause the disease they prevent.

How often should I get vaccinated?
Follow the recommended vaccination schedule.

Can adults get vaccine preventable diseases?
Yes, adults can get vaccine preventable diseases if not vaccinated.

Are there side effects to vaccines?
Mild side effects such as pain or redness at injection site.

Can vaccines be given to people with weakened immune systems?
It depends on the specific vaccine and condition.

How effective are vaccines in preventing disease?
Vaccines are highly effective in preventing disease, typically 90-99%.