Polio to Diphtheria, 14 Diseases Treated Thanks to Vaccines

Did you know that your child can get measles just by being in the room where the person with measles is, even up to two hours after the person leaves?

Measles is highly contagious, and can be serious, especially for young children. Because measles is common in other parts of the world, unvaccinated people can catch measles while traveling and bringing it to the United States.

Anyone who isn’t protected against measles is at risk, so be sure to keep up to date with your child’s vaccines.

Doctors recommend that your child get two doses of the MMR vaccine. Your child will need one dose at each of the following ages:

• 12-23 months
• 4-6 years
• Infants aged 6 to 11 months should get one dose of MMR injection before traveling abroad.
• Infants vaccinated before the age of 12 months should be re-vaccinated on or after their first birthday with two doses, each dose interrupted for at least 28 days.

9. Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious disease that can be deadly for babies.

Whooping cough can cause a severe, uncontrollable cough, which often makes breathing difficult. The name “whooping” comes from the sharp sound of breathing right after coughing.

In infants, the disease can also cause life-threatening pauses in breath without coughing at all.

Whooping cough is especially dangerous for babies who are too young to be vaccinated on their own. Mothers should get whooping cough vaccine during each pregnancy to provide protection to their babies before birth.

It is very important for your baby to get the whooping cough vaccine on time so that he can start building his own protection against the disease.

Since 2010, between 15,000 and 50,000 cases of whooping cough are reported annually in the United States, with cases reported in every state.

Doctors recommend that your child get five doses of the DTaP vaccine.

Your child will need one dose at each of the following ages:

• 1-2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 12-23 months
• 4-6 years

10. Pneumococcal Disease

This disease is caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus pneumoniae. It causes ear infections, sinus infections, pneumonia, and even meningitis, making it especially dangerous for children.

Germs can attack parts of the body—such as the brain or spinal cord—that are usually free of germs. Make sure you keep your children safe from this dangerous disease by getting vaccinated.

Doctors recommend that your child get four doses of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (also called PCV13). One dose at each of the following ages:

• 1-2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 12-23 months

11. Rotavirus

Rotavirus is contagious and can cause severe diarrhea, often accompanied by vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain, mostly in infants and young children. Children can become severely dehydrated from this disease and need to be hospitalized.

If dehydrated children don’t get the care they need, they can die.

Rotavirus was one of the first vaccines babies could get; it’s the best way to protect your child from rotavirus disease.

Doctors recommend that your child get two or three doses of the vaccine (depending on the brand) at the following ages:

• 1-2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months (if receiving RotaTeq vaccine)

12. Mumps

Mumps is notorious for causing puffy cheeks and swollen jaws. This is due to swelling of the salivary glands.

Other symptoms include fever, headache and muscle aches, and fatigue.

Mumps is a contagious disease and there is no treatment. Mumps is still a threat today—every year, people in the United States get mumps.

In recent years, mumps outbreaks have occurred in places where there is close and prolonged contact with an infected person, such as being in the same class or playing on the same sports team. The MMR vaccine protects you and your family from mumps, measles, and rubella.

Doctors recommend that your child get two doses of the MMR injection. Your child will need one dose at each of the following ages:

13. Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a disease that causes a rash of itchy blisters and fever. A person with chickenpox may have multiple blisters—as many as 500 all over his body. Chickenpox can be serious and even life-threatening, especially in infants, adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Even a healthy child can become very sick. Vaccination of children at an early age is very important to maintain the health of your children.

Doctors recommend that your child get two shots of chickenpox. Your child will need one dose at each of the following ages:

14. Diphtheria

Most of us have only known diphtheria as an obscure disease for a long time, thanks to the diphtheria vaccine that babies get.

This vaccine, called DTaP, provides protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). Although it can be prevented, diphtheria persists. This can cause a thick lining at the back of the nose or throat that makes breathing or swallowing difficult. Diphtheria can also cause heart failure.

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