Wednesday, July 23, 2008 For Adults Only By Betty Bagares-Poyogao Pediacosset
A COUPLE of days ago, I was asked by one of my patients if there are vaccines recommended for adults. Without hesitation, I said yes. Immunizations don't stop when you reach the school age. In fact, adults do need the protection from some diseases as children do. But not all adults are aware of these vaccines, except of course, the pregnant women who routinely get the tetanus shots. What else is there aside from the childhood immunizations?
Hepatitis B vaccine. This provides protection from hepatitis B virus causing the liver to swell and if worse comes to worse, liver cancer. This is highly recommended especially those working in hospitals where frequent blood contacts and needles are encountered, those who are in contact with hepatitis B infected persons or carriers, and all healthy adults. A series of three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine is needed.
Tetanus Toxoid vaccine. This provides protection from tetanus brought about by bacteria, which can cause your muscles to be tense and you have difficulty moving your muscles. The most common presentation is that of a lockjaw. You can't seem to move your jaw and there is difficulty swallowing. This vaccine is recommended for all healthy adults especially pregnant women. Again, three doses are needed to complete the series.
Influenza vaccine. The common flu can infect anyone, young and old alike. The vaccine can protect you from it. A flu vaccine is given once a year preferably from February to June.
Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. This vaccine can protect you from mumps, measles and rubella. Mumps is caused by a virus making your parotid gland to swell found in the area between your ear and jaw. It is a painful process but is self-limiting. Measles is a viral infection causing rashes and high fever which most of you are familiar with. Rubella or commonly called German measles is the worst type that when a pregnant woman is affected, the baby will have many congenital defects. This vaccine is recommended for all healthy adults especially women. There are two doses to complete the series.
Cervical cancer vaccine. This is a new vaccine recommended for females nine to 55 years old. This protects women from the human papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer in women. There are three doses needed to complete the series.
You have the option to get these immunizations or not. You may ask or consult your doctor about it. July has always been the Nutrition month. Prevention is always the key to good health. The immunizations may be quite expensive nowadays but the benefits are rewarding. After all, if your health is at stake, you wouldn't think twice spending so much for it.
