Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease caused by the toxin of a bacteria. It is usually transmitted via droplet particles that are coughed or sneezed into the air. The toxin can lead to damage of the kidneys, brain, nervous system, or heart.
Tetanus is another very serious infection that is caused by a bacterial toxin. The bacteria reside in soil and the intestinal tracts of certain mammals. It enters the body through an open wound, multiplies, and produces a toxin that can affect nerves controlling muscle activity. A common symptom of tetanus infection is stiffness of the jaw muscles ("lockjaw").
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is an upper respiratory illness caused by a bacteria. The organism is highly contagious, spreads easily and can cause serious illness, especially in infants.
Tetanus and diphtheria disease are rare in the United States because of the high numbers of people who have been immunized. However, the number of infants in the United States who are affected by pertussis is rising despite widespread vaccination. The good news is that infants who are immunized against pertussis disease are typically less ill than those who are not immunized.
Timing and dose — Combined diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) immunization is recommended for all children in the United States. The acellular form of pertussis vaccine (DTaP) has replaced the older form of pertussis vaccine (DTP), known as the whole cell vaccine. A total of five separate doses are recommended, at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with the fourth dose given at 15 to 18 months and the fifth at 4 to 6 years of age.
Adolescents should receive a booster dose of tetanus diphtheria pertussis vaccine at 11 to 12 years of age (called Tdap). Subsequent doses are recommended at 10-year intervals throughout life.
DTaP and DTP vaccine precautions — Common side effects include injection site pain, redness, and swelling; fever; drowsiness; and loss of appetite. These reactions are more common after the fourth and fifth doses.
Children who have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or brain swelling within seven days of receiving the DTaP or DTP vaccine should not receive future doses of this vaccine.
If a child develops one of the following problems within 48 hours of receiving the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, the next vaccine should be given with caution. Temperature ≥ 104.8ºF, not related to a known cause Collapse or shock-like state Persistent, inconsolable crying lasting three hours or longer Seizure or convulsions within three days after the vaccine
In the event that one or more of these reactions occurs in an infant or young child, some experts recommend giving only the combination diphtheria-tetanus (DT) vaccine.
Parents should call their child's healthcare provider (for high fever or excessive crying) or emergency medical services (for collapse or seizures) if one or more of these reactions develop.
Children who develop other symptoms after receiving the vaccine, such as low-grade fever or irritability, can be given the vaccine at the next recommended interval.
To minimize the chance of a fever following a dose of this vaccine, some providers recommend giving acetaminophen to the child before the vaccine and, if needed, every four hours for 24 hours thereafter. This recommendation particularly applies to children with a personal or family history (siblings or parents) of seizures related to fever.
DTaP effectiveness — DTaP is a very effective vaccine that protects 80 to 85 percent from pertussis, 95 percent from diphtheria, and nearly 100 percent from tetanus. Because protection can fade over time, booster vaccines are needed at least every 10 years.
Tetanus is another very serious infection that is caused by a bacterial toxin. The bacteria reside in soil and the intestinal tracts of certain mammals. It enters the body through an open wound, multiplies, and produces a toxin that can affect nerves controlling muscle activity. A common symptom of tetanus infection is stiffness of the jaw muscles ("lockjaw").
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is an upper respiratory illness caused by a bacteria. The organism is highly contagious, spreads easily and can cause serious illness, especially in infants.
Tetanus and diphtheria disease are rare in the United States because of the high numbers of people who have been immunized. However, the number of infants in the United States who are affected by pertussis is rising despite widespread vaccination. The good news is that infants who are immunized against pertussis disease are typically less ill than those who are not immunized.
Timing and dose — Combined diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) immunization is recommended for all children in the United States. The acellular form of pertussis vaccine (DTaP) has replaced the older form of pertussis vaccine (DTP), known as the whole cell vaccine. A total of five separate doses are recommended, at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with the fourth dose given at 15 to 18 months and the fifth at 4 to 6 years of age.
Adolescents should receive a booster dose of tetanus diphtheria pertussis vaccine at 11 to 12 years of age (called Tdap). Subsequent doses are recommended at 10-year intervals throughout life.
DTaP and DTP vaccine precautions — Common side effects include injection site pain, redness, and swelling; fever; drowsiness; and loss of appetite. These reactions are more common after the fourth and fifth doses.
Children who have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or brain swelling within seven days of receiving the DTaP or DTP vaccine should not receive future doses of this vaccine.
If a child develops one of the following problems within 48 hours of receiving the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, the next vaccine should be given with caution. Temperature ≥ 104.8ºF, not related to a known cause Collapse or shock-like state Persistent, inconsolable crying lasting three hours or longer Seizure or convulsions within three days after the vaccine
In the event that one or more of these reactions occurs in an infant or young child, some experts recommend giving only the combination diphtheria-tetanus (DT) vaccine.
Parents should call their child's healthcare provider (for high fever or excessive crying) or emergency medical services (for collapse or seizures) if one or more of these reactions develop.
Children who develop other symptoms after receiving the vaccine, such as low-grade fever or irritability, can be given the vaccine at the next recommended interval.
To minimize the chance of a fever following a dose of this vaccine, some providers recommend giving acetaminophen to the child before the vaccine and, if needed, every four hours for 24 hours thereafter. This recommendation particularly applies to children with a personal or family history (siblings or parents) of seizures related to fever.
DTaP effectiveness — DTaP is a very effective vaccine that protects 80 to 85 percent from pertussis, 95 percent from diphtheria, and nearly 100 percent from tetanus. Because protection can fade over time, booster vaccines are needed at least every 10 years.
