DTP is understood as adsorbed pertussis-diphtheria-tetanus vaccine. It was created in order to prevent the appearance of 3 dangerous diseases in children at once.
Comprehensive Protection
According to the instructions for use, the indication for DTP vaccine is the prevention of infection with pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria. These diseases are difficult and can result in death. They are dangerous not only for children, but also for adults.
Diphtheria is an ailment that affects, as a rule, the nervous and cardiovascular systems, kidneys and respiratory tract. Vaccination gives maximum protection against infection, but it does not exclude a small probability of the occurrence of the disease. However, people who have been vaccinated against diphtheria are much easier to tolerate the disease, unlike those who do not have immunity to it.
It is a mistake to believe that at present the disease is diagnosed extremely rarely, the danger of infection remains in the modern world. Vaccination is the only way of protection that adults should not forget about, since vaccination provides protection for only 10 years.
Tetanus is an infectious disease that significantly disrupts the nervous system. The causative agent can penetrate the body even through minor damage to the skin. In the process of his life, a toxic toxin is released, which provokes the occurrence of:
- spasms of the masticatory muscles, and then cramps throughout the body;
- hypersensitivity to touch.
As a result, the patient cannot breathe and eat normally. In some cases, he falls into a coma, death is also not uncommon.
Injection of tetanus toxoid contained in the DTP vaccine is the only reliable protection against a dangerous disease. It can be done unscheduled in case of severe damage to the skin, if a person has not received it before according to the vaccination schedule.
Whooping cough is also an infectious disease that affects the airways. Its symptoms are:
- paroxysmal cough;
- runny nose;
- sneezing.
The body temperature rises slightly. During coughing, the patient's face turns red, the tongue protrudes, hemorrhage under the mucous membrane of the eye is possible.
The disease is most dangerous for children under the age of 2 years. This is due to the fact that they do not have pronounced symptoms, except for a slight cough, after which respiratory arrest may occur. To protect their child, parents must be responsible for vaccination.
Contraindications
All healthy children should be vaccinated. The attending physician examines them first: measures the body temperature, examines the results of clinical trials (if they were prescribed), determines the general condition of the child, in a word, finds out the body’s readiness to receive the drug.
In the modern instructions for the use of DTP vaccine, the following contraindications for its administration are prescribed:
- any disease in the acute stage;
- pathology of the nervous system;
- immunodeficiency;
- malignant neoplasms;
- chronic diseases in acute form;
- severe complications resulting from a previous similar injection (allergic shock, convulsions, impaired consciousness, Quincke's edema, the periodic occurrence of a piercing scream for no apparent reason, erythema, body temperature above 39.5 ° C);
- birth weight below 2.5 kg (such children are vaccinated for the first time in 6 months, provided that they develop normally physically and mentally);
- long-term current diseases (hepatitis, meningitis, tuberculosis, etc.);
- any pathologies of an allergic nature in a severe form.
In the instructions for the use of DTP vaccine, these contraindications are indicated for 3 years, earlier the list also included:
- birth injuries both with residual effects and without them;
- rickets of the II and III stages;
- blood diseases;
- hydrocephalus;
- pathology of the kidneys, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, heart;
- head injuries;
- diabetes;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- nonspecific ulcerative colitis;
- postoperative period.
A doctor should consider all contraindications for vaccination, both absolute and relative, during examination. However, some children who are forbidden to administer DTP may be vaccinated against tetanus and diphtheria (i.e., without the pertussis component).
Vaccination schedule
The national schedule established the following periods for the preparation of the drug:
- 3 months;
- 4.5 months;
- 6 months
- revaccination at 1.5 years, then the second at 7 years, the third at 14 years.
This plan involves vaccinating healthy children. If the child was challenged for medical reasons, he will receive the drug later according to an individual scheme (this is determined by the doctor in each individual case).
From the moment of the 3rd revaccination at 14 years of age, the injection should be carried out every 10 years. This information is also contained in the instructions for use with DTP vaccine.
Introduction rules
Vaccination is carried out exclusively in stationary conditions by specially trained paramedical personnel.
According to the instructions for the use of DTP vaccine, the drug should be administered according to the following algorithm:
- The nurse carefully examines the ampoule. The drug is not used if it is cracked, foreign inclusions are visualized in the contents, there is no label. In addition, she draws attention to compliance with storage conditions and shelf life.
- The contents of the ampoule are shaken, it is wiped with an alcohol wipe and opened. After that, it is immediately used.
- The vaccine is drawn into a disposable syringe with a long needle with a wide clearance. Before the introduction of the drug, it changes to standard.
- The injection is carried out intramuscularly either in the buttock or in the front of the thigh. Before and after administration, the skin at the injection site is wiped with an alcohol wipe.
- Vaccination is registered.
- Within an hour, the doctor observes the condition of the child.
Side effects
Judging by the reviews and instructions for use, the DTP vaccine is not always well tolerated.
The following conditions are considered normal reactions:
- Redness of the skin in the injection zone, swelling, tightening, pain in the same area.
- Increased body temperature (more than 37.5 ° C).
- Upset stool.
- Drowsiness.
- Decreased appetite.
- Vomiting
- Tearfulness, irritability.
These conditions pass independently in 2-3 days (no longer than 5 days).
The instructions for the use of DTP vaccination also indicate complications, the occurrence of which requires immediate medical attention:
- anaphylactic shock;
- hives;
- cramps
- Quincke's edema;
- thickening or redness at the injection site is more than 8 cm in diameter;
- crying longer than 3 hours;
- high body temperature (above 39 ° C).
These complications are due to ignoring contraindications or improper administration of the drug, which can also be spoiled.
Release form
The instructions for use of DTP vaccine indicate that it is sold in ampoules of 0.5 ml in an amount of 10 pcs. They are placed in blisters and cardboard packs.
Interaction
On the same day as vaccination against pertussis, diphtheria and tetanus, an injection of the drug against polio is allowed. Also, DTP can be administered with other vaccines on the national vaccination calendar (except for BCG).
Finally
A powerful comprehensive defense is the DTP vaccine. The instruction for use states that it is a prophylactic immediately against 3 dangerous diseases. Nevertheless, in order to avoid the appearance of serious complications, all possible contraindications to vaccination must be taken into account.