Dtap Vaccination
Vaccination for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Whooping Cough
Concentra Urgent Care provides vaccinations for illnesses such as tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis). These are serious diseases.
Diphtheria spreads when germs pass from an infected person to the nose or throat of others. This disease primarily affects the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, although it may also affect the lining tissues of the ear, eye, and genital areas. Throughout history, diphtheria was a leading cause of death among children.
Tetanus is caused by a germ that enters the body through a cut or wound. Puncture wounds such as those caused by nails, splinters, or insect bites are common entry points for the bacteria. The bacteria can also be introduced through burns, any break in the skin, and drug-injection sites. Tetanus can also be a hazard to a mother and newborn child during delivery.
Whooping cough (pertussis) is an acute, highly contagious respiratory infection that is spread through direct contact with fluids from the nose or mouth of infected people. People contaminate their hands with respiratory secretions from an infected person and then touch their own mouth or nose. In addition, small droplets containing bacteria enter the air during coughing or sneezing. People can become infected by breathing in these drops. Whooping cough commonly affects infants and young children but, because immunity from the pertussis vaccine wears off with time, many teenagers and adults can get whooping cough as well.
Vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough
Vaccination is the best way to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. You can be immunized against all three diseases with the DTaP vaccine. The DTaP vaccine is generally started at 2 months of age, with five shots completed at approximately 5 years of age and a booster at age 11. All children should be immunized against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough.
Side effects of the vaccination
Nearly all people who get a DTaP vaccine have no problems with it. Mild side effects can include soreness, redness, or swelling at the site of the injection, usually occurring within hours after the vaccination but lasting no more than one to two days.
