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The
Diseases
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Diphtheria. Diphtheria is a serious disease
of the linings of the upper respiratory tract. About one in
ten people who get the disease die of its complications. Medication
can help treat it but only immunization can prevent it.
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Tetanus. Tetanus occurs when wounds are infected
with the tetanus bacteria. These organisms make a poison which
causes the muscles of the body to go into spasm. "Lockjaw"
is a descriptive term for the symptoms of tetanus. Four out
of ten people who get tetanus die from it.
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Pertussis. Pertussis or "whooping cough"
causes severe spasms of cough which interfere with eating, drinking
and breathing. The younger a child is, the more serious the
disease.
The Vaccine:
The vaccine we use is a combination
one which covers all three of these diseases. We use a new, more
purified form of the DPT vaccine (acellular) that has fewer associated
side-effects.
Side effects
- Soreness, redness or swelling at the site
of the injection. (50 %)
- Mild fever. (50%)
- Allergic reaction. (rare)
For
more information on the DTaP vaccine, the Center for Disease Control
has a handout available
- click here.
For
more information on the Tdap vaccine - click here |
