Diphtheria Polio Tetanus Booster
Vaccine | Category | Age Group | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Diphtheria, Polio & Tetanus Booster | Revaxis® (Inactivated viral and toxoid) | Can be used from 10 years of age (see UK schedule) | £30.00 |
Booster | All of the Above |
If you have had your vaccine more than 10 years ago you should have a booster.
Boost at 5 yrs then10 years later
Diphtheria is one of the most feared childhood disease with shocking outbreaks. Diphtheria is found worldwide. It's common in parts of the world where diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) immunisation is poorly covered.
Polio is highly infectious and mainly affect children under 5 Years old. It leads to irreversible paralysis and can be contracted by children around the world.
Tetanus exist anywhere in the world. It's in the soil and in animal, and easily spreads in ant surface.
Diphtheria is a highly infectious disease that affects the throat and upper airways. It is a disease that is found worldwide and hence vaccination is highly recommended to ensure rates of infection are kept low. Due to a reduced rate of immunisation in certain regions such as the Indian Subcontinent, Central and South East Asia, South America and Africa, Diphtheria unfortunately is still common in many countries.
Diphtheria is usually transmitted through coughing and sneezing. Diphtheria is a serious illness that essentially targets the respiratory system, so any symptoms are related to this part of the body.
Diphtheria as an incubation period of 2-5 days and the symptoms that persist are most likely difficulty of breathing/swallowing, sore throats, headaches, chills, fever, and enlarged glands in the neck, a heavy cough, bluish colouration of the skin and rapid/shallow breathing.
Early administration of the Diphtheria antitoxin is vital in order to reduce risk of fatality. Antibiotics also play a big role. Intensive care support is needed to treat patients suffering from Diphtheria.
There is a highly effective vaccination available against Diphtheria, which is included in childhood immunisations programmes of most countries.
Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that most commonly affects young children. Polio is still endemic in Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan however there are rare outbreaks due to the disease being imported or if the virus from the vaccine turns to the infectious type.
Polio is transmitted through contact from person to person and contaminated food and water.
Polio has an incubation period of up to 20 days, before symptoms begin to show. Earlier symptoms include fever, headaches, vomiting, fatigue, chest pains, and stiffness usually in the neck. In extreme cases paralyse is observed, normally in the legs. Due to such severe paralysis, many can be killed by the respiratory muscles becoming immobilised.
Currently there is no cure for Polio, therefore treatment focuses on supporting normal body functions whilst trying to reduce the risk of the longer term complications. This is done whilst the body is fighting off the Polio infection.
Treatment involves hospital bed rest, pain relief medication as well as breathing support and regular exercising along with stretching in order to prevent muscular and joint issues.
If a Polio sufferer is left with long term problems, they will most probably need ongoing treatment along with support which may include physiotherapy to help with movement complications, potentially splints and/or braces to support weak joints and limbs, therapy in order to help adapt to any difficulties that may have risen due to the infection and lastly surgery to treat deformities.
Prevention of Polio is ensured by vaccination
Tetanus is a life threatening bacterial infection that is found in the environment all around the world.
The bacteria that causes Tetanus enters through open cuts and wounds. Tetanus has an incubation period of 4 to 21 before symptoms present themselves. Earlier symptoms include a lock jaw, severe stiffness particularly in the mandibular muscle making it hard to open your mouth. Later symptoms include spasms that spread through the neck and limbs.
These symptoms will last for up to 3 days. Difficulty in breathing and suffocation is common among sufferers.
Treatment involves a tetanus immunoglobulin and wound care as well as Intensive Medical Care.
Vaccination against tetanus is the only way of prevention as it is not possible to eradicate the bacteria from the environment.