Pneumococcal Infection (Pneumonia)
You need the vaccine if you have chronic
heart and lung disease, do not have a functioning spleen, have cancer of the
blood cells, have a spinal fluid leakage, and drink not wisely but too well.
The adult vaccine is effective in about two
of three adults, although it is less effective in debilitated seniors. It is
better in preventing some of the serious complications of pneumococcal
pneumonia (e.g. chest pain, cough, fever) than in preventing the pneumonia
itself. One injection may provide lifetime protection.
One
injection may provide lifetime protection.
Rabies is transmitted to humans by the bite
of a mad animal, usually a dog, cat, bat or monkey, and can be fatal. If you
are suspicious about the animal, you need to take injections of rabies immunoglobulin
on the first day, followed by shots on days 3, 7, 14, 28 — not on the stomach
as in days of yore, but in the arm.
You are at high risk if you are a vet, work
with animals, explore bat caves and so need a vaccination which offers lifetime
protection.
Tetanus is a creeping paralysis caused by a
bacterium which lives in soil, steel, aluminium, rusting objects. Because it is
often fatal vaccination is particularly important. A primary series of 3
injections should be administered to you if you were not vaccinated in
childhood. You will need a booster dose every 10 years. You can receive the
vaccine alone or combined with the diptheria vaccine.
Because
it is often fatal vaccination is particularly important.
During pregnancy, if you were immunised previously,
you need a booster dose of tetanus toxoid four weeks before your due date. If
you were not immunised you need two doses- the first between 16 and 24 weeks
and the second between 24 and 32 weeks. Typhoid is spread from person to person
by the fecal-oral route and by eating contaminated food and water and can be
serious. It can be prevented by injectable vaccine typhonex, the effect of
which last for three years.
Side effects
Most reactions to vaccinations are minor
and temporary - a low-grade fever, redness and swelling at the injection site
and a sore arm for a couple of days. A yellow fever vaccine, for example, can
cause those symptoms for up to a week.
Consult your doctor if there are more
severe reactions such as high fever, rash, vomiting, convulsions.
Most vaccines are not for pregnant women
and to those who have an acute illness.
Also remember that if you have an allergy
to eggs, chicken protein, or gelatin, you may be advised not to get certain
vaccines.
Most
vaccines are not for pregnant women and to those who have an acute illness.
If you’re travelling it’s always best to
get your vaccinations well in advance of your departure date, both to allow for
adverse reactions and because some vaccinations need to be given over a period
of weeks. You may also need to space out the vaccinations so you’re not getting
all of them at once.
