Doctors Strongly Recommending Adult Vaccinations
Most children today are vaccinated, but when it comes to adults, we mistakenly assume previous vaccinations we received as kids are no longer necessary. Preventable measures can safeguard all of us from infectious diseases, thus when it comes to visiting a family doctor soldotna ak physicians say immunity from common diseases can weaken over time.
Which Vaccines Do You Need?
All too often, adults turn down being vaccinated but what happens when you get a serious wound? Your first thought is how long has it been since I had a tetanus shot. Tetanus enters the body through a break in the skin, and the disease could cause lockjaw, stiffness in the neck and abdomen, and even difficulty swallowing. Pneumococcus. It causes bacterial pneumonia and, in the elderly, can cause meningitis and even death. These vaccinations should be updated every year.
Diphtheria. While there are little to no cases in the United States, globally the disease still impacts adults. A booster vaccine is required every ten years. Triggers of diphtheria are bacteria, and the disease can permanently damage mucous membranes, and organs, and even be deadly.
Hepatitis A and B. It’s a disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis virus. There are little to no symptoms when first infected, but as the disease progresses the skin and eyes turn a yellowish hue, and most people complain of tiredness, loss of appetite, or becoming nauseous. Hepatitis B is spread through blood contact with people already infected, or by having sex with an infected person. Hepatitis A is typically spread orally, by contaminated food.
HPV. The human papilloma (HPV) viruses are the most common cause of sexually transmitted infections. It is estimated that over 70 percent of sexually active women and men are infected during life. HPV virus infection can cause warts or precancerous lesions in the sexual organs of women and men, which in some cases may progress into cancerous forms, especially cancer of the uterine cervix and anus. In addition to adolescents, young women and men aged between 15 and 26 can also be vaccinated against this disease.
Some individuals are more at risk of contracting a disease or developing severe complications, and thus, some vaccinations must be repeated periodically, like Influenza and Tetanus. Influenza vaccination is particularly recommended in the following cases: people over the age of 65, patients with chronic illnesses (eg heart disease, circulatory and pulmonary diseases, diabetics), immunosuppressed persons, pregnant women, but also people in certain professions that are in constant contact with the public, like healthcare staff.
An Opposition to Vaccinations
The number of vaccination opponents, especially among young parents is growing. Some do not have their children vaccinated, nor do they want to become vaccinated. This explains why the measles cases have risen sharply, and thus, also lethal measles complications such as a special brain inflammation. However, not getting vaccinations poses risks not only to you and your family, but to people that come into contact with you.
While most people fear side effects of vaccines, the truth is the side effects most people experience is nothing more than redness and itching, which is much more harmless than the disease itself. When you consider the consequences, vaccines are much safer than getting the actual disease.