Childhood diseases and their vaccinations

<p>Childhood diseases and their vaccinations</p><p>Chickenpox</p><p>Diphtheria</p><p>Haemophilus influenzae Type B (HIB)</p><p>Hepatitis A</p><p>Hepatitis B</p><p>Measles</p><p>Meningococcus</p><p>Mumps</p><p>Pneumococcus</p><p>Polio</p><p>Rotavirus</p><p>Rubella</p><p>Tuberculosis</p><p>Tetanus</p><p>Typhoid</p><p>Whooping cough (Pertussis)</p><p>The Government of India recommends that all children be vaccinated against at least six diseases - tuberculosis,</p><p>diphtheria,</p><p>pertussis,</p><p>tetanus,</p><p>polio and</p><p>measles.</p><p>In addition to these, the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) recommends the Hepatitis B, MMR, HIB, Typhoid and HPV vaccines.</p><p>Vaccines are now available for other illnesses as well. They are:</p><p>Varicella (against chickenpox)</p><p>Hepatitis A</p><p>Pneumococcal vaccine (against pneumonia and meningitis)</p><p>Meningococcal vaccine (against meningitis)</p><p>Rotavirus (against severe diarrheoa)</p><p>Chickenpox</p><p>Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by one of a group of Herpes viruses. It spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or has been in close contact with someone. It causes a distinctive <br>itchy rash, blisters, and mild flu-like symptoms.</p><p>Diphtheria</p><p>Diphtheria mainly affects the throat and spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include <br>sore throat, high temperature and breathing difficulties.<br> A severe case can cause damage to the heart and nervous system, and even death.</p><p>Haemophilus influenzae Type B (HIB)</p><p>This is a bacterial infection which spreads when an infected person sneezes or coughs. It affects the throat, chest and ear. It can also lead to more serious infections like meningitis and pneumonia or throat blockages (epiglottitis).</p><p>Hepatitis A</p><p>Hepatitis A is a viral disease of the liver. It spreads through contaminated food or water or through direct contact with an infected person. Some may have no symptoms at all, while others may have mild flu-like symptoms.</p><p>Hepatitis B</p><p>Hepatitis B is a viral disease which causes irritation and inflammation of the liver. It is spread through contact with the body fluids of an infected person. Symptoms may not appear for up to 6 months after the time of infection. Early symptoms may include appetite loss, fatigue, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea and vomiting, yellow skin and dark urine. The vaccine against this disease is called Hep B.</p><p>Measles</p><p>Measles used to be the most common childhood illness before the vaccine was introduced. It is highly infectious, and spreads when a person with measles sneezes or coughs. It starts as a bad cold with fever. A rash appears usually after two days. Measles can lead to bronchitis, <br>bronchiolitis<br>, ear infections, croup, and in rare cases, complications to the nervous system (like encephalitis).</p><p>Meningococcus</p><p>Meningococcal bacteria cause meningitis and septicaemia (a form of blood poisoning). It spreads when someone with the infection sneezes or coughs. Meningitis is a serious illness that can cause long-term damage to the brain and nervous system, and can even be fatal. The bacteria have several strains. The meningococcal vaccine will protect your child against the C strain.</p><p>Mumps</p><p>Mumps is a viral illness which causes considerable swelling around the cheeks and neck. It can lead to meningitis, deafness, encephalitis, and inflammation of the testes in boys which can damage fertility. The MMR vaccine protects your child against mumps.</p><p>Pneumococcus</p><p>Pneumococcal bacteria are common and spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. They cause serious illnesses such as meningitis, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and pneumonia. One in ten cases of meningitis is caused by the pneumococcal bacteria. This form of meningitis is more fatal than meningitis C. Children who survive it usually have long-term health problems like deafness, epilepsy and learning difficulties. The pneumococcal vaccine will protect your child against this bacteria.</p><p>Polio</p><p>The polio virus attacks the brain and the spinal cord and can cause paralysis. It is spread by contact with the faeces, mucus or saliva of an infected person. You can vaccinate your child with the oral polio vaccine (OPV) as well as the injectable polio vaccine (IPV).</p><p>Rotavirus</p><p>Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe <br>diarrhoea<br> in children, particularly babies between three months and two years of age. The virus spreads through person-to-person contact, airborne droplets, or contact with contaminated toys. A child infected with the rotavirus suffers from projectile vomiting and very watery diarrhoea, often with fever and abdominal pain.</p><p>Rubella</p><p>Rubella is generally a mild illness in children and causes fever, rash and swollen glands. But if you catch rubella in the first eight to 10 weeks of your pregnancy, you can pass it on to your baby. Your baby may be born with deafness, blindness, heart problems or brain damage. The MMR vaccine will protect your child against rubella.</p><p>Tuberculosis</p><p>Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease which commonly affects the lungs. It spreads when a person with the active disease coughs or sneezes. People with active TB have bouts of coughing, sometimes with sputum or blood, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats. Your baby can be vaccinated against TB with the BCG vaccine.</p><p>Tetanus</p><p>Sometimes called lockjaw, tetanus can cause painful spasms of muscle contraction. The disease can be fatal. It is caused by bacteria found in soil and animal manure. It can enter the body through a cut or a wound. It can also be caught through animal bites. The DTP vaccine will protect your child against tetanus.</p><p>Typhoid</p><p>Typhoid is a bacterial disease. It spreads when one consumes food or drink contaminated by the faeces or urine of an infected person. Symptoms include high fever, malaise, headache, constipation or diarrhoea, rose-coloured spots on the chest, and enlarged spleen and liver. Your baby can be protected from typhoid with the typhoid vaccine.</p><p>Whooping cough (Pertussis)</p><p>This is highly infectious. It is spread through coughing and sneezing. It starts as a cold, but in time the coughing spasms, with their characteristic &quot;whoop&quot;, get more severe and can go on for several weeks. In babies and young children, it may even lead to pneumonia, vomiting, weight loss and, more rarely, brain damage and death. Your child will be protected from the whooping cough by the DTP vaccine.</p>