We live in a time where communicable disease epidemics are few and far between. We do not live in fear of becoming polio, where paralysis of the legs and lungs are inevitable. Nor do we have severe outbreaks of measles. Healthcare suppliers, and our nation's population, have worked together to reduce and isolate outbreaks of highly contagious, deadly ailments within decades of diligence and development of preventative steps.
Vaccines are the lifesaving tool, you are the user that makes it happen. In case you're anything like us, your own curiosity and hunger for knowledge about this kind of preventative medicine is strong, which is precisely the reason why we decided to speak about some common vaccines, exactly what they do, and why we receive them.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B, also known as HBV, is a disease that attacks the liver. It can lead to sudden onset or recurring liver disease. What makes this virus so dangerous is its ability to survive outside the body for up to seven days, which it's moved through physiological fluids. When we say bodily fluidswe mean something as simple as mucous or saliva, which are produced during a cough and disperse to the air/surrounding objects. It can also be transferred from a mother to her child during birth.
What is the big deal?
Well, your liver is responsible for several functions in your body. It synthesizes proteins that your body requires, detoxes your bloodvessels, converts the sugars you eat into energy your body can utilize, stores minerals and vitamins for later use, and also makes angiotensinogen (a hormone that your kidneys request to boost your blood pressure and improve renal filtration). That is not a complete collection of liver function, either.
Based on Medical News Daily, your liver does somewhere around 500 different things for the human entire body! When it malfunctions, it affects all your other systems. It can affect your general health in a very significant way. Obtaining the Hepatitis B vaccine protects you from a highly infectious disease that is notorious for disrupting your liver processes (all 500 of these ). That's the reason you receive this specific vaccine.
When do you get it?
The initial is given at birth, the third and second are awarded between the first month and 15 months of age. If you're thinking this sounds awfully young to receive a vaccine, know this: according to the World Health Organization, 80-90% of babies who are infected with Hepatitis B within their first year of life may endure chronic liver infections for the remainder of their life.
Polio
Polio, also known as Poliomyelitis attacks your spinal cord, destroying nerve cells and blocking communication from the brain to the rest of your physique. Infants and pregnant women are most susceptible to the virus, and there's absolutely no cure. Transmission is most common through feces, generally throughout the fecal-oral route. It can, however, also be transmitted via other bodily fluids in something as simple as sharing a glass of water.
What is the big deal?
While the World Health Organization has made leaps and bounds in trying to eliminate polio from our world, it still exists. The vaccine is so effective, 99 out of 100 children who complete their vaccination program for polio are protected from it. That is why we use this vaccine.
When do you receive it?
The first dose is given at two months of age, with the subsequent second and third doses given involving the 4th month and 15 months of age.

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)


Measles
Measles is a disease spread through the air when someone coughs or sneezes. It's so infectious, if someone has it, then 9 out of 10 people around them will probably become infected if they aren't vaccinated.
One out of every one thousand people with measles will have encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Due to this vaccination program in the United States, measles was labeled as eliminated from our nation. However, this doesn't actually mean entirely eliminated. It simply means there is not any longer a continuous existence of the disease. It can still make its way here via travelers that aren't vaccinated.
Mumps
Mumps is a disease that attacks the adrenal glands, located under your tongue and in front of the ears. It can cause extreme swelling of the glands, and even hearing loss (although the latter is not as common). Other complications include swelling of the brain, pancreas, and meningitis. It's very contagious and there is no cure, but there is a vaccine bottle! Mumps is still present in the United States, therefore why taking preventative steps is extremely important.
Rubella
Also referred to as the German Measles, Rubella is a viral disease that poses the best risk to pregnant women. When a pregnant woman contracts Rubella, the fetus is at risk for congenital defects and sometimes, death.
What's the big deal?
These three viruses are highly infectious, and target kids. Sometimes, kids can bounce back rather well. In others, the consequences are observed during their lives. As these are viruses, there is no simple antibiotic treatment they can get.
When do you get it?
This vaccine comes in 2 installments. The initial is given between 12 and 15 months, the next administered between 6 and 4 decades old.
DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis)
Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a bacterial disease which affects your respiratory system. The germs binds to a tissue, and starts releasing toxins that kill the veins. The end state is a thick coating of dead tissue mucus, bacteria, and toxins on your nose and throat making it difficult to breathe and absorb.
It is spread through something as straightforward as coughing. There's treatment available because it is a bacteria. Antibiotics and antitoxin medication are administered, and the patient is kept in isolation until they are not infectious.
Tetanus
Tetanus is an infection from bacteria called Clostridium tetani. It may be found nearly anywhere as spores (dust and soil), and grows into germs when it finds a home inside your body. It enters your body through a break in your skin just like a little cut, a puncture, or even a hangnail that broke skin.
Other signs include muscle fatigue, seizures, painful muscle stiffness, and changes in blood pressure.
There's a particular antibiotic for tetanus, as this particular disease is harmful. It requires immediate hospital care, efficient and thorough wound attention from the entry point, close observation for dangerous complications like pulmonary embolisms, along with additional antibiotics.
Pertussis
Pertussis is better known as Whooping Cough. It is caused by the bacteria Bordatella pertussis, and it attacks the respiratory system. It is called Whooping Cough since the affected individual will have coughing spells so strong and violent they're gasping for air, making a whooping sound.
It is highly contagious, and spread through saliva droplets from the air which are expelled during coughing. There is limited therapy, and it is effective primarily at the beginning phases prior to the coughing starts. When the coughing begins, antibiotics can kill the bacteria but there's already damage done to a respiratory system.
What is the big deal?
All three of those bacteria have damaging results on the body, especially to infants and kids. Once the disease begins, it can be tricky to diagnose early, which allows more time to get permanent damage and/or severe complications to take place. That is precisely why we utilize the DTaP vaccine.
When can you receive it?
The DTaP vaccine is administered in four installments. The first is given at two months old, the next 3 will be administered all the way through 15 months of age.
This advice isn't meant to scare you into getting a vaccination. Our intention is to explain to you why they're relevant, significant, and critical to our health and the health of our kids.
If you'd like to explore more funds on vaccinations and the recommended time-frames for getting them, take a look at the CDC's Immunization Schedule. It covers 0 months to 18 years old, and lists exactly what vaccines are recommended for that which age range.