Infectious diseases and vaccine recommendations

Pertussis (whooping cough)

What it is
A bacteria-induced respiratory disease16

Signs and symptoms
Common cold symptoms, including runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, and cough. Cough may progress to bursts of numerous rapid coughs (paroxysms), and continue through weeks or months of recovery.16

What it can lead to
Pneumonia and cough-induced rib fracture in adults. Other complications may occur rarely, with infants at highest risk for pneumonia, difficulty breathing, seizures, inflammation of the brain, and death.16

How you get it
Contact with an infected person via coughing and sneezing16

Prevention
Pertussis vaccines for children and for adults (contained in DTaP and Tdap^a) can help prevent this disease.16

Should my child be vaccinated?
Yes. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends 5 doses of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular vaccine for infants and children:2

DTaP vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.2

a Tdap = Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis.

Diphtheria

What it is
A bacteria-induced respiratory disease31

Signs and symptoms
Sore throat and low-grade fever31

What it can lead to
Breathing problems, coma, and death if not treated31

How you get it
Contact with an infected person via coughing and sneezing31

Prevention
Diphtheria toxoid (contained in DTaP, DTa, or Tdb and Tdap vaccines) can help prevent this disease.31

Should my child be vaccinated?
Yes. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends 5 doses of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine for infants and children:31

DTaP vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.2

a DT = Diphtheria and tetanus. b Td = Tetanus and diphtheria.

Tetanus (lockjaw)

What it is
A disease of the nervous system caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium tetani bacteria32

Signs and symptoms
Early symptoms may include lockjaw, stiffness in the neck and abdomen, and difficulty swallowing. If the disease progresses over time, symptoms may include severe muscle spasms, seizure-like activity, and severe nervous system disorders.32

What it can lead to
Bone fractures, abnormal heart rhythm, and death in about 10% to 20% of cases32

How you get it
Through a soil-contaminated wound or abrasion of the skin. Tetanus is not transmitted from person to person.32

Prevention
Tetanus toxoid (contained in Td, DT, DTaP, and Tdap vaccines) can help prevent this disease. DTaP is contained in several combination vaccines, including Pentacel vaccine.32

Should my child be vaccinated?
Yes. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends 5 doses of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine for infants and children:2

DTaP vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.2

Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B) disease

What it is
A severe bacterial infection, affecting infants and children younger than 5 years of age33

Signs and symptoms
Meningitis (an inflammation of the brain lining), pneumonia, sepsis (blood poisoning), throat or skin infections, and arthritis which can be more serious in children younger than 1 year of age.33

What it can lead to
Complications of Hib disease can result in permanent brain damage or death.33

How you get it
Transmission is most likely passed through coughing and sneezing.33

Prevention
Hib vaccine is highly effective at helping prevent Hib disease.33

Should my child be vaccinated?
Yes. If your child is younger than 5 years of age, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends 4 doses of Hib vaccine for infants and children:33

Polio

What it is
A highly infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system34

Signs and symptoms
Most often, there are no symptoms. Minor symptoms, occurring in approximately 4% to 8% of those infected, include fever, fatigue, nausea, headache, flu-like symptoms, stiffness in the neck and back, and pain in the limbs.34

What it can lead to
Paralysis that can eventually result in permanent disability or death34

How you get it
Contact with stool from an infected person34

Prevention
Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is currently used in the United States to help prevent polio.34

Should my child be vaccinated?
Yes. Children should be vaccinated with 4 doses of inactivated polio vaccine:34