Why You Must Never Miss Your Baby’s DTaP Dose?

Every parent promises to safeguard and protect his or her baby’s health and future. Babies are born with minimal immunity and this immunity develops as they grow. While a good immunity can be developed with the right nutrition and care, it is of utmost importance to protect your baby from all the deadly diseases around them. One of the essential steps towards assuring this protection is- Vaccination or Immunization.

Numerous viral & bacterial infections may impact your baby`s health, however only a handful of these are protected by vaccination. Hence vaccination is not a choice, it is a necessity. Let us learn more about the significance of one such vaccine called the DTaP vaccine, which is known to protect your child against 3 most infectious and contagious diseases namely – Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis.

What is Diphtheria?

Diphtheria is an infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Diphtheria causes a thick covering in the back of the throat and can lead to difficulty in breathing, heart failure, paralysis, and even death. Diphtheria spreads (transmits) from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing.

Treatment

Diphtheria treatment involves:

• Using diphtheria antitoxin to stop the poison (toxin) produced by the bacteria from damaging the body
• Using antibiotics to kill and get rid of the bacteria

What is Tetanus?

Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection.The bacteria exists in soil, manure, and other environmental agents. A person who experiences a puncture wound with a contaminated object can develop the infection, which can affect the whole body. It can be fatal.

Treatment

If a wound develops into tetanus, one must seek for immediate medical attention. Treatment of tetanus involves:

• Wound care
• A course of antibiotics
• An injection of tetanus antitoxin
• Aid of an artificial respirator or other life-support measures during the several weeks needed for the disease to run its course.

What is Pertussis?

Pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella Pertussis. It is known for an uncontrollable coughing fit, which results in difficulty in breathing. Pertussis can cause serious complications in newborn infants; the babies may turn blue due to difficulty in breathing and might even need to be cared for in the hospital.

Treatment

• Infants are typically hospitalized for treatment
• Intravenous fluids may be necessary
• Isolation to prevent spreading or infection
• Antibiotics

Prevention is better than cure

Each year, vaccination saves close to 2-3 million lives globally. All these life-threatening diseases can be prevented by giving vaccination to your child in a timely manner. With advanced vaccine technology, there are now combination vaccines that can protect your baby against two, three or maximum of up to six diseases including polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox with just one or few pricks.

Role of a Vaccine

A vaccine helps to train the body’s immune system so that it can fight a disease. Vaccines are like medicines that are administered mainly through injections and are designed to prevent disease, rather than treat a disease once you have caught it. Vaccination is a proactive prevention approach to safeguard your baby’s health.

When babies are healthy, they have better prospects of growth and development. Parental care doesn’t stop at vaccination. It is the beginning of a journey towards a healthy adulthood. So get, set and care!

Disclaimer:
This is a part of the public awareness initiative on vaccination supported by Sanofi Pasteur India. Sanofi Pasteur believes in a world where no one suffers from a vaccine preventable disease. One should consult their healthcare provider for any health-related information.