Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) are serious bacterial infections:
- Tetanus is uncommon and needs immediate hospital treatment. It causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body, and can "lock" the jaw.
- Diphtheria usually affects the nose and throat, but can also affect the skin and other parts of the body.
- Whooping cough causes uncontrollable coughing fits. It may start like a cold, but the coughing can last for weeks or months.
The vaccines
Vaccines protect against these diseases. In the United States there are three combination vaccines:
| Vaccine | Protects against | For |
|---|---|---|
| DTaP | diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis | babies and children under 7 (several versions, some protecting against other diseases too) |
| Tdap | tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis | older children and adults |
| Td | tetanus and diphtheria | older children and adults; usually a booster every 10 years, or after 5 years for a severe or dirty wound or burn |
Who should check first
Some people should not get these vaccines, including anyone who has had a severe reaction to them before. Check with a health care provider first if you have seizures, a neurological problem or Guillain-Barré syndrome. People with a minor illness such as a cold can be vaccinated, but those who are more ill may need to wait until they feel better before getting some vaccines.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Vaccines," drawing on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://medlineplus.gov/tetanusdiphtheriaandpertussisvaccines.html
- Rewritten in hubnx's own words.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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