Bacterial Infection Immunizations

DTaP Vaccine Recommendations

DTaP: Diptheria (Corynebacterium diptheriae) Nature Highly contagious bacterial disorder Flu-like symptoms plus sore throat; grayish membrane forms in pharynx - difficulty swallowing If left untreated bacteria produces a powerful neurotoxin which can cause death thru suffocation Epidemiology In the 1920s there were approximately 150,000-200,000 cases in the US with about 15,000 deaths Vaccine became available in 1923 Virtually eradicated the disease in the US with only 24 cases reported in the 1980s and 1 case in 1998

DTaP: Tetanus (Clostridium tetani) Also called “Lockjaw” Nature Primarily an adult disorder resulting from introduction of the spores of the bacteria into a wound The bacteria then multiply producing a neurotoxin which interferes with neuro-motor transmission The result is potentially death due to suffocation Epidemiology With the introduction of the vaccine in 1927 cases declined from several hundred per year in the 1920's to approximately 30-40 per year in the 1990’s The case/fatality rate is approximately 20%

DTaP: Pertussis (Bortadella Pertussis) Also called “Whooping Cough” Nature Contagious bacterial disorder Begins like a common cold but coughing becomes progressively more severe and spastic in nature. Literally cause detachment of upper respiratory lining walls resulting in possible suffocation Cough may linger 6 to 10 weeks, full recovery may require several months There is no specific treatment

DTaP: Pertussis (Bortadella Pertussis) Epidemiology Early 1920’s 150,000 cases per year reported in the US with 7000 deaths. A vaccine introduced in 1926 Approximately 4,000 cases were reported in the U. S. in 1900. In 2003 there were 12,000 cases report.

HIB Vaccination Recommendations

HIB:Haemophilus Influenza Nature Bacteria that spread thru close contact Causes a variety of conditions including severe respiratory symptoms including pneumonia, infection of bone, soft tissue (joints) and most seriously meningitis 60% of those infected develop meningitis Epidemiology For children < 5 years incidence decreased from 20,000 in 1989 to 54 in 1998 The first vaccine was licensed in 1985 there have been a number of newer vaccine developed

Pneumococcal Vaccination Recommendations

Pneumococcal Disease (Streptococcus Pneumoniae) Nature Acute bacterial infection characterized by sudden onset of fever, chest pain, dyspnea and coughing May cause vomiting and convulsions in infants Is also a significant of meningitis Epidemiology Not reportable but estimate disease rates are 15-19/100,000 in the general population with higher rates in clinically confined populations. It accounts for 10 - 15% of all community-acquired pneumonia Case fatality rates run as high as 25% in the elderly to 0 - 3% in children

Meningococcal Vaccination Recommendations

Meningitis (Meningococcal Disease) Nature Caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria Commonly causes high fever, stiff neck and headache Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion, and sleepiness The bacteria can mainly be spread from person to person through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions If left untreated carries a high mortality rate Epidemiology Bacterial meningitis occurs in about 3 people per 100,000 annually Case fatality rate ranges between 10-20% A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine has been available since the 1970s, and the first conjugate meningococcal vaccine in the US was licensed in 2005, with a second licensed in 2010