Diphtheria Tetanus and Pertussis Vaccine (DTaP)
Posted by Babies - 19/01/09 at 12:01 amThe DTaP baby vaccine defends the child against three severe diseases diphtheria, tetanus and Pertussis. Diphtheria is an infection that causes a heavy coating at the back of the Pharynx or throat. This may lead to several breathing problems, heart failure, and paralysis and sometimes it may even lead to death. Tetanus commonly referred to as lockjaw is an infection caused by bacteria. This causes dangerous and awful muscle spasms, paralysis and seizures. This is not a contagious infection. This occurs when the bacteria living in the dust and soil enter the human body through the punctured wound or injuries in the skin if they are not cared and cleaned properly. Pertussis commonly mentioned as whooping cough causes sever coughing spells which makes the child hard to drink, eat or breathe. Diphtheria and Pertussis are contagious diseases. These diseases are most commonly found in children.
Children should be given 5 doses of this DTaP baby vaccine to get a protection against these diseases. The first dose should be given in the second month followed by the second dose in the fourth month of age. The third dose should be injected in the sixth month. The fourth dose should be given between 15th and 18th months. The last dose can be injected between 4 to 6 years of age. This DTaP vaccine can be injected at the same period of time as like other vaccines. This vaccine should not be given to any children of 7 years of age or more as this DTaP vaccine is licensed only for children under the age of 7. Hence it is necessary to inject children with this vaccine as it prevents them from dangerous diseases like whooping cough, lockjaw and breathing problems.
