Archive for the ‘East Valley Childrens Center’ Category

 
March 2012
 

Haemophilus influenzae type B (known by the initials HiB) is responsible for many infections in children, and, prior to the vaccine, caused over half the cases of meningitis in children below age five. Between 5% and 10% of all children who develop HiB meningitis will die, and those who survive may have lasting damage to the nervous system. HiB also causes epiglottitis, an infection that can cause death if not treated immediately. Serious HiB diseases are contagious, so one sick child can expose other children to HiB. The vaccine is not a guarantee that HiB disease cannot occur, but it dramatically reduces the probability of illness. Side effects are rare and minor, consisting of a low grade fever or local reaction at the injection site. The HiB immunization is given in three successive shots in the first six months. A booster dose of the vaccine is given at fifteen months of age.

 
March 2012
 

Polio is an infection of the spinal cord and brain, which can result in permanent muscular paralysis and death. Killed Polio virus vaccine (IPV) is given at 2 and 4 months. Boosters of this vaccine are given at fifteen months of age and four to five years of age. Polio vaccine used to be given by mouth (live, or Sabin Vaccine-OPV) but is now only given by injection (killed, or Salk Vaccine-IPV) and has no immediate side effects. It does not make the child irritable or fussy.

 
March 2012
 

The DPT stands for Diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough), and Tetanus (the “a” stands for acellular, a type of Pertussis vaccine that causes less fever and soreness than the traditional DPT). Diphtheria is an infection of the throat which is often fatal. It also affects the heart. Whooping cough is an infection which causes a spasmodic type of cough and can be fatal in the young infant. Tetanus is usually a fatal disease at any age and is characterized by continuous contractions of muscles throughout the body. The DaPT vaccine is given in three successive shots in the first six months. Boosters of this vaccine are given at fifteen months of age, four to five years of age, and then the adolescent or adult version of the vaccine is given between ages of 11 and 12 years and every ten years thereafter.

The DaPT shot occasionally will cause a local reaction with fever, fussiness, and possibly some redness and swelling at the injection site. Very rarely this fever will be high, and even more rarely, convulsions will occur. Some continue to believe that there is an extremely rare chance of shock developing as a result of the Pertussis vaccine that can cause permanent damage and even death. However, information developed since 1990 indicates that there are no permanent injuries that result from Pertussis vaccine. However, without the vaccine, the risk of damage from the illness (Pertussis) is far greater than any risk from the vaccine. The acellular Pertussis vaccine (DaPT) is used exclusively by our office. It has been shown to cause less crying and less fever. DaPT immunization is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Center for Disease Control, and this office.

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East Valley Children's Center 3200 S. George Drive, Tempe AZ 85282 ( map )
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Office Hours: By Appointment Only. M-F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evenings & Saturdays on urgent basis only.