Childhood ailments immunization for children

Diphtheria
Diphtheria mainly affects the throat and spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include a sore throat, a high temperature and breathing difficulties.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a viral disease of the liver. It spreads through contaminated food or water or through direct contact with an infected person. 
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a viral disease which causes irritation and inflammation of the liver. It is spread through contact with the body fluids of an infected person.
Haemophilus influenzae Type B (Hib)
This is a bacterial infection which spreads when an infected person sneezes or coughs. It affects the throat, chest and ear. 
Measles
Measles used to be the most common childhood illness before the vaccine was introduced. It is highly infectious, and spreads when a person with measles sneezes or coughs. It starts as a bad cold with fever. 
Mumps

Mumps is a viral illness which causes considerable swelling around the cheeks and neck. It can lead to meningitis, deafness, encephalitis, and inflammation of the testes in boys which can damage fertility.

Pertussis (whooping cough)
This is highly infectious. It is spread through coughing and sneezing. It starts as a cold, but in time the coughing spasms, with their characteristic “whoop”, get more severe and can go on for several weeks. 

Polio
The polio virus attacks the brain and the spinal cord and can cause paralysis. It is spread by contact with the faeces, mucus or saliva of an infected person.
Rotavirus
Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhoea in children, particularly babies between three months and two years of age. 
Tetanus

Sometimes called lockjaw, tetanus can cause painful spasms of muscle contraction. The disease can be fatal. It is caused by bacteria found in soil and animal manure.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease which commonly affects the lungs. It spreads when a person with the active disease coughs or sneezes.
Typhoid
Typhoid is a bacterial disease. It spreads when one consumes food or drink contaminated by the faeces or urine of an infected person.

NAMES OF DISEASES AND THEIR VACCINES.

• BCG – tuberculosis
• DTaP/DTwP – diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough)
• Hepatitis A vaccine – hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B vaccine – hepatitis B
• Hib vaccine – haemophilus influenzae type B
• MMR – measles, mumps, rubella
• OPV (oral polio) and IPV (injectable polio vaccine) – polio
• Rotavirus vaccine – rotavirus
• Typhoid vaccine – typhoid

Assessment

• List five common childhood diseases and their vaccines