Diseases that can be Prevented by Childhood Vaccination

Hepatitis A - A liver disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus. Young children may not show any signs of the disease, but older children may exhibit signs of fever, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, yellow skin and eyes. (Vaccine= HepA, recommended for all children 12 months old)

Hepatitis B - A liver disease caused by a virus that is transmitted through contact with the blood of a person infected with Hepatitis B. This disease is characterized by yellow skin or eyes, tiredness, stomach ache, loss of appetite, nausea, and joint pain. (Vaccine= Heb B)

Rotavirus - A virus that is the most common cause of severe childhood gastroenteritis -  which can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. This new, oral vaccine can prevent a majority of all rotavirus gastroenteritis. (Vaccine= Rota)

Diphtheria - A respiratory disease caused by the bacteria, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and transmitted through coughing and sneezing. Diphtheria is characterized by sore throat, fever, chills, airway obstruction, and death if not treated. (Vaccine= DTaP, DTP, Tdap)

Tetanus - Our parents and grandparents probably knew this as "lock-jaw".  Tetanus is a disease of the nervous system caused by the bacteria, Clostridium tetani, which usually invades the body through a puncture wound. Symptoms of tetanus are characterized by the classic “lock-jaw”, stiffness in the neck, respiratory spasms, seizures, and paralysis. (Vaccine= DTaP, DTP, DT, Tdap)

Pertussis - A respiratory disease caused by the bacteria, Bordetella pertussis, spread by coughing and sneezing. Characterized by its name, “whooping cough”, can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, especially in infants. (Vaccine= DTaP, DTP, Tdap)

Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib)- A severe bacterial infection occurring primarily seen in infants and children under 5 years old. This bacteria can cause meningitis, pneumonia, sepsis, epiglottitis, and arthritis to name a few. (Vaccine= Hib)

Polio - A viral disease that can cause paralysis and even death. Although there are no polio cases in the United States, it is still common in some parts of the world. (Vaccine= IPV)

Pneumococcal diseases - A bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Characterized by pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. (Vaccine= infants 6weeks to 2 years old should receive PCV/ Children aged >2 years old and adults should receive PPV)

Influenza (Flu) - A seasonal illness caused by the influenza virus occurring mainly during the winter. The influenza virus can change (mutate) every year, which means you should get an annual immunization because the you can “catch the flu” more than once. The good news is that now infants as young as 6-59 months can receive an inactivated form of the vaccine. Other people at risk of complications from influenza are:
* All children from 6 months up to 5 years old
* Anyone 50 years old or older
* Women who will be pregnant during influenza season
* Anyone with chronic health problems such as, heart disease, diabetes, lung or kidney disease, blood disorders, etc.
* Anyone with a weakened immune system, such as, HIV/AIDS, cancer treatments with x-rays or chemotherapy
* Anyone with muscle or nerve disorder
* Residents living in a nursing home or long-term care facility
* Health care providers
* Caregivers to anyone on this list above

Measles - A respiratory disease caused by a virus that can form a rash all over the body. Although we have almost eliminated the measles from the United States, it still is prevalent in other parts of the world. (Vaccine= MMR)

Mumps - A viral illness that is characterized by swelling of the cheeks and jaw. Mumps can also cause fever, headache, tiredness, and more severe complications can be meningitis and deafness. (Vaccine= MMR)

Rubella - A respiratory disease caused by a virus characterized by its other name the “German Measles.” Rubella is characterized by a rash and fever for 2 to 3 days. The patients at highest risk are unborn babies. If a pregnant women contracts rubella, there is a high risk that the newborn will be born deaf or blind. (Vaccine= MMR)

Varicella - A virus of the herpes family, most commonly known as the chickenpox. Before this vaccine, chickenpox was one of the most common childhood illnesses. It is characterized by the itchy rash that spread all over the body. Although most chickenpox cases were fairly mild, the lesions can get infected leading to complications. Once a person has been infected with the chickenpox virus, it stays in the body. Years later it can cause a very painful disease called herpes zoster, or shingles.