Adacel

Details

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Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTP) Vaccine is used to protect the individual against the diseases,  Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis. Diphtheria and Pertussis can be fatal and lead to death, however cases of death in Tetanus are rare. Adacel is the universal name of this vaccine by which it is available.

Purpose:

• Adacel protects the body against Diptheria in which a thick coating is developed in the throat, nose and airways. This can lead to heart failure, breathing problems, paralysis, or death.
• Pertussis which is the condition of whooping cough is also prevented through Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTP) Vaccine, coughing can get severe to a level where it interferes with breathing, eating or drinking.
• Pneumonia is another infection against which this vaccine works.
• Tetanus can cause painful tightening of the muscles which enters the body through a cut or wound. Adacel prevents this as well.

 

Mechanism:

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTP) Vaccine exposes the child to a small amount of protein from the bacteria or the bacteria itself so that the immune system of the body becomes familiar with it. At the time of foreign organisms trying to enter the body, the immune system activates and fights against the bacteria of Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis by the help of antibodies.

 

Dosage:

• This is meant for children between the age of 6 weeks and 7 years.
• The first dose should be given when the child is 2 months old.
• The booster doses are meant to be given at the age of 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months and lastly between 4-6 years.

 

Side effects:

• Swelling of lips, face, nose, throat or tongue.
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Dizziness and weakness
• Hives and difficulty in breathing are serious side effects.
• If the child experiences blackout convulsions, crying for long hours, fussiness or extreme drowsiness, visit the doctor right away.

 

Precautions and measures:

• It is important to prevent fever or symptoms of it after getting the Adacel vaccine in children who have seizure disorders such as epilepsy.
• If fever is experienced post the vaccination, it can be treated with aspirin free pain reliever.
• Always shake the syringe well before use.
• Do not mix this with the syringe of any other vaccine.
• The injection should be administered under the skin or into a muscle.
• Caps of prefilled syringes contain rubber latex, which can be a source of an allergic reaction

 

Interactions:

There can be some products such as corticosteroids, cyclosporine (drugs that weaken the immune system) which can reverse the effect of Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTP) Vaccine.