Everyone loves babies. They are dependent on us to feed them, clothe them and love them. Part of loving and protecting babies is to have them vaccinated against diseases that can make them very sick or worse. While some of these diseases are becoming less common since vaccines have been developed, they do still exist, and it is very important to protect our babies.
Infants begin to receive their shots right after birth with the Hepatitis B. The next series of shots is given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12-15 months and 18 months.
DTaP protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Tetanus is a toxin that usually enters the body through a wound and is found in soil and animal feces. We cannot get rid of tetanus. If infected with tetanus, complete recovery may takes months.
Diphtheria is a toxin that enters the body through the nose and throat. A classic symptom is a bluish-white coating on the tonsils and back of throat.
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a bacterial infection that enters the body through the nose and throat. The cough becomes severe and prolonged and is accompanied by a high-pitched whoop. This infection is especially dangerous and can be deadly for infants that are too young to have received the first series of DTaP.
Polio is a virus that enters the body through the mouth. Symptoms include low-grade fever, sore throat and loss of appetite. This virus can cause paralysis in some patients. In the 1950s, some of the patients had to be put in iron lungs to help them breathe. With the introduction of effective vaccines, the last case of wild-virus polio in the United States was in 1979, although it still exists in other parts of the world.
Prevnar is a vaccine that protects against several illnesses caused by the pneumococcal bacteria, including some acute ear infections, pneumonia and meningitis. The bacteria usually enters the body through the nose and throat.
MMR is a combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that enters the body through the nose and throat. Symptoms include runny nose, eye infection and rash.
Mumps is a viral infection that enters the body the same way as measles, and symptoms include fever and swelling of the glands in the face and neck.
Rubella is a viral infection that causes low-grade fever, runny nose and rash. This virus is especially dangerous to pregnant women because it can cause abnormalities to the developing fetus.
Varicella, commonly known as chicken pox, is a viral infection that enters the body through the nose and throat or direct contact with lesions. Symptoms include fever, achiness and a blister-type rash that causes itching. The varicella vaccine is given to infants beginning at 12-15 months of age.
Rotavirus is a viral infection that is spread through the mouth after touching contaminated objects or not washing hands well after using the restroom and then putting your hands in your mouth.
Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting and watery diarrhea. Until recently, this infection caused severe illness and frequent hospitalizations in young children. A vaccine to protect against rotavirus is given to infants by drops that they swallow.
Hib is a vaccine that protects against Haemophilus Influenzae type B. This is a bacterial infection spread through nose and mouth. Hib protects against several illnesses, including some throat infections, pneumonia and meningitis.
Hepatitis is a viral infection that affects the liver. Hepatitis is spread through blood and body fluids or through contaminated food after someone who is infected and didnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t wash their hands properly prepares food.
Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Vaccines are available to protect against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.
National Infant Immunization Week is April 21òòò½ÊÓƵ“28. Talk with your health care provider about protecting your precious babies.