Thanks to vaccinations, many diseases were ruled out. Unfortunately, not all of them are on the list of compulsory vaccinations, but only recommended (paid) vaccinations. The choice is yours - see which diseases you can avoid with vaccinations.
Infectious diseases: chickenpox
Coursechickenpoxin children is usually mild, but we cannot rule out complications and hospitalization. This applies not only to children with impaired immune systems. The described complications in the course of chickenpox include: inflammation of the meninges, cerebellum and brain; convulsions, bacterial skin infections, also generalized; respiratory and digestive tract infections.
In adults, the course may be severe with a very high fever and rash on the skin and mucous membranes (conjunctiva, mouth, genitals). A complication is varicose pneumonia and myocarditis.
Theoretically, disease immunizes for life, but the Varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, remains in the nervous system and, when reactivated, causes shingles. Its symptom is severe pain caused by inflammation of the nerve and a rash along its course on one side of the body. Eye and ear shingles can be especially dangerous. In many elderly people, neuralgic pain remains after the disease, even for several years.vaccinationprotects against chickenpox, which can be given, also to adults, also after contact with the virus (post-exposure prophylaxis) up to 72 hours after contact with the sick person.
Infectious diseases: whooping cough
This is one of the diseases considered to be childhood diseases, from which adults suffer more mildly and, as it turns out, much more often than children.
Pertussis vaccinations are compulsory for children, but they do not protect for life, because on average, after 6-12 years, the antibodies disappear completely. Therefore, in some countries (e.g. Germany), vaccinations are also recommended for adolescents and adults (every 10 years). On the other hand, in the USA, in order not to expose non-immune infants to severe disease, it is recommended to vaccinate mothers and all adults who may come into contact with the newborn (including medical personnel).
Infectious diseases: measles
Adults get sick like children,but the older the patient, the more severe and dangerous the course of the disease, especially for people with cardiovascular diseases. It can be complicated, inter alia, encephalitis, which may result in permanent neurological disorders and even death. Measles vaccination has been compulsory for children since 1970, but if someone has not been vaccinated, it can be done at any age.
Infectious diseases: rotaviruses
Experts estimate that due to rotavirus-induced diarrhea, doctors provide approximately 15 million consultations each year, and almost 600,000 patients die. Most often, infection leads to dehydration and electrolyte disturbances. Mainly small children, up to 5 years old, are sick, but also their carers. The only effective protection against developing rotavirus diarrhea is vaccination - which can only be given to infants up to 24-26 weeks of age! The recommended strict adherence to hygiene rules is not effective enough in this case.
Infectious diseases: tuberculosis
It is believed that in Poland, almost no one suffers fromtuberculosis . Meanwhile, despite the widespread vaccination of children, this disease is still dangerous. More and more often well-off, but exhausted, chronically stressed, improperly eating, and therefore biologically weakened people suffer from it. The risk of developing the disease increases in patients with diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, alcohol and drug addicts, and - and perhaps most importantly - smoking. According to the compulsory vaccination calendar, all newborns are vaccinated against tuberculosis in the first 24 hours of life.
Infectious diseases: hepatitis A and B
Hepatitis B (hepatitis B) is one of the most common and dangerous infectious diseases. It is estimated that 2 billion people worldwide have contacted the virus that causes it (HBV), about 350 million are its chronic carriers, and every year, due to complications: cirrhosis and liver cancer, about 1.2 million people die.
About 1.2 1.4 million people officially suffer from hepatitis A (hepatitis A), but in reality there may be up to 10 times more. The only effective method of protection against contracting hepatitis A and B are preventive vaccinations. They are obligatory for newborns and infants against hepatitis B, and for the rest of them, as well as against hepatitis A. Due to the importance of the problem, so-called yellow weeks, actions during which vaccination is more readily available.
HPV human papillomavirus
A specific problem of adolescents and adults is infections with various types of HPV(Human Papillomavirus, human papillomavirus). They are exposed to infection at least once in their life - according to WHO data - as much as 50-80 percent. of the population, including almost 40 percent. women under 25 years of age. Some types of this virus are oncogenic. Responsible is, among others for the formation of cervical cancer, tumors of the vulva and vagina, anus and oral cavity.
The pathogen (like HCV) only infects humans, both women and men. Unlike many other viruses, it multiplies locally in epithelial and skin cells. The most common infection is sexually, but it is also possible to transmit it through direct skin-to-skin contact. The optimal prophylaxis of cervical cancer is a regular pap smear combined with vaccination.
Press material prepared by the "Journalists for He alth" Association for the 4th edition of educational workshops for journalists from the "Quo vadis medicina?" Series, March 2011