When a small child appears in a family, young parents are already knocked down: what to feed, how to dress, what to do if suddenly sick ... And then, less than three months after birth, pediatricians call for DTP vaccination (decoding of the abbreviation - adsorbed pertussis-diphtheria-tetanus). After reading about the negative consequences, mothers clutch their heads. Let's try to figure out what is worse: get vaccinated or leave the child defenseless against formidable diseases?
What is DTP vaccine?
At the age of up to six months, the child’s own immunity is formed, which, of course, is facilitated by breastfeeding. Therefore, it is during this period that DTP is included in the vaccination calendar. Decryption suggests that in its composition contains dead cells of pathogens of all three diseases. This is necessary so that the baby's body gets acquainted with dangerous cells, and the immune system develops antibodies.
This is how “cell memory” is formed: when met with a similar pathogen in the future, the system will remember the virus. Finished antibodies instantly begin to be produced, which will help to quickly cope with the disease. Pathogens of pertussis cause the most violent reaction of the body (temperature, swelling), therefore weakened babies are offered an analogue of the vaccine - ADS (adsorbed diphtheria-tetanus).
How dangerous are these diseases?
These are quite insidious infections, and their consequences are especially severe. Let's consider them separately:
1. Whooping cough . It is easy to confuse it with a common flu or a cold: all the same cough and runny nose. And only after a few weeks, when the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections should already pass, it becomes clear that the picture is completely different. With pertussis, the condition only worsens every day, a painful cough can last up to 15 minutes, accompanied by vomiting or bleeding. In babies, this can lead to respiratory arrest. The consequence may be a “residual form”, when each cold occurs with the same severe cough.
In the case of diphtheria and tetanus, the worst thing is not the bacteria themselves, but the poison that they produce.
2. Diphtheria . Toxins affect the heart, liver and kidneys, nervous system. The result may be choking.
3. Tetanus . An even more terrible toxin produced by these bacteria causes severe muscle cramps, which are accompanied by pain and cramps. Cardiac or respiratory arrest is not uncommon.
The only reliable protection is DTP vaccination. Decryption sometimes scares parents with its multicomponent nature. But here it is not quantity that matters, but compatibility. It is this combination from the 1940s that is still considered ideal. Additionally, along with DTP, it is permissible to be vaccinated against polio and hepatitis B.
Types of Vaccines Used
Today, parents can choose how to vaccinate their child. For routine vaccination, the domestic version of DTP is usually used (the transcript is presented a little higher). For a fee you can put the vaccine "Infanrix".
Combined drugs are also used:
- Pentaxim is a standard DTP + against polio + hemophilic infection.
- Tritanrix-HB - DTP + Hepatitis B.
Vaccination schedule
The local pediatrician usually warns that it is time to get the vaccine. In different countries, the schedule is slightly different. Today in Russia, the child receives the first DTP at 3 months. The second should follow at 4.5, the third at half a year. After a long break (year), the last vaccination is given at 18 months. This completes the full course of vaccination, and the child receives 100% protection against these diseases.
Despite this, the question of how much DTP vaccination a baby should receive remains open. In some countries they are made at 3, 6 and 18 months. In addition, there are medical bends for health reasons. If the first vaccination is given, and after a break is made, then you do not need to start vaccination again, it is enough to continue the interrupted chain. Revaccination is carried out at 6 and 14 years old, and then every ten years.
It should be noted that whooping cough is most dangerous for young children. Therefore, if the baby was not vaccinated with DTP before 4 years of age, then it is possible to vaccinate with DTP, because whooping cough is much easier to tolerate at an older age.
Vaccination preparation
Not always the local pediatrician appoints a full examination and collection of tests before vaccinations. This is easy to explain, given its workload. Sometimes doctors simply ask their parents if the child is healthy, and on the basis of this they give permission for vaccination. Since the responsibility for the health of the kids lies with the parents, then they should take active steps:
- Choose an independent doctor.
- Take his referral for analysis and ultrasound.
- Visit a neurologist.
- Get complete information on the vaccines available in your country and recommendations on which is best.
If the child is absolutely healthy, then with almost no risk, a DTP vaccination can be given. The decoding of this abbreviation should remind you of what terrible diseases you give it protection. Imagine a fidget boy who is not vaccinated against tetanus. How many times will he break a knee, scratch on a rusty fence? And each such injury is a risk of catching an infection that is fatal in 85% of cases.
If the vaccination date has already been set, within 6 days (3 before and 3 after vaccination) you need to give the child half of the Suprastin tablet in the morning and evening. Do not feed your baby before visiting the treatment room. After DTP is delivered, it is not recommended to leave the clinic for 30 minutes in order to quickly receive help in case of an allergic reaction. Arriving home, immediately give an antipyretic, such as Nurofen, or put candles with paracetamol. They also have a painkiller effect, which will help the crumb easier to tolerate vaccination. If the temperature is normal on the second day, the antipyretic can be canceled. If the fever persists on the third day, then call a doctor.
Deterioration after vaccination
Of all the mandatory, it is the DTP that is most difficult to tolerate - the vaccine, the interpretation of which sounds like adsorbed pertussis-diphtheria-tetanus. Today you can find a lot of materials that speak against vaccination in general, and all of them refer precisely to the terrible consequences of DTP vaccinations.
In approximately 30% of cases, the following side effects occur:
- redness and swelling of the injection site;
- a slight increase in body temperature;
- increased anxiety;
- digestive system disorders.
It should be noted that this is a normal reaction to DTP, the consequences of the body’s struggle with foreign and hostile cells. Symptoms disappear within a day after vaccination. Today's realities are such that while the children are waiting in line for study, they are in contact with patients who came for an examination. Therefore, a runny nose and diarrhea after vaccination may not be directly related to it.
Unfortunately, this is not the worst thing that can happen after a DTP vaccine is given. The consequences in the form of severe edema (more than 10 cm), a weeping baby crying and a fever above 39 degrees are considered severe. Such reactions occur approximately 1 time in 15,000 children.
In rare cases, against the background of vaccination, the manifestation of previously hidden pathologies of the kidneys, liver, and diseases of the central nervous system is possible. A case of rapid development of glomerulonephritis and the death of a child a week after DTP was recorded. In addition, anaphylactic shock, convulsions, encephalopathy are possible. The frequency of such complications is very small, approximately 1 case per 500,000-1,000,000 children. But for some, this case is fatal ...
First vaccination: important points
So, you are already 3 months old, and here it is - the first invitation for vaccination. Why at this age? Because during fetal development, the fetus received antibodies from the mother through the umbilical cord. And if a vaccine is administered immediately after the birth of a baby, they will interfere with the development of their own immunity. But gradually, the natural protective barrier decreases, it needs to be restored. This is how doctors explain. By the way, most likely, you will definitely be asked what vaccine to put. Choose an imported, refined vaccine, despite the fact that it is paid.
And one more very important point. If something confuses you in the baby’s state (snot, malaise), postpone the vaccination, do not listen to urgent recommendations to go to the treatment room immediately. It can be delivered at 4 months or later. Health workers are bonded people, they are obliged to do their work on time. But, by and large, few people care about the health of your child. They need a "tick" in the report, and you have to reap the sad fruits. God forbid, of course.
After vaccination, carefully monitor the behavior of the child. Severe crying, large swelling, high fever - all this should become a reason for the cancellation of subsequent vaccinations temporarily or permanently, depending on the severity of the reaction. Only a slight rise in temperature (37-38 degrees) can be considered a normal reaction to DTP. Sealing and redness at the injection site should not last more than a day and exceed 5 cm in diameter. By the way, the Infanrix drug, as a rule, does not cause reactions and complications, is well tolerated.
Second vaccination
After 30-45 days, if the first vaccination is well tolerated, the doctor will invite you to re-vaccinate. If the child is sick at this time, then the procedure is delayed and recovery. Bear in mind that the reaction may be stronger than the first time. This is considered normal, because the body has already managed to develop a certain amount of antibodies.
If the pediatrician does not ask himself, be sure to remind him of the reaction to the first vaccine. If it was severe, then you need to use an imported vaccine, as it is better tolerated. If the vaccination proceeded with complications, then replace the DTP DTP (without the pertussis component) or cancel it completely, regardless of persuasion.
Third vaccination
Sometimes it is she, and not the second vaccine, that causes the strongest reaction of the body. By this time, you already know how the child tolerates this drug, and you can make the right decision. Of course, you do not need to risk your health if complications have been experienced. It is after the introduction of the third dose of the vaccine that the body is believed to be completely protected from these three diseases.
Does vaccination effectiveness depend on the injection site?
Yes. The drug is intended for intramuscular administration. In young children, the thigh muscle is well developed, and that is where DTP vaccination is given. Decryption (reviews often contain dissatisfaction with the aluminum content, which acts as an adjuvant) is mandatory on the packaging, which you can verify by looking at the first photo of the article. Unfortunately, the specialist will not always explain to alarmed parents why the above-mentioned aluminum is needed, but meanwhile, this is directly related to the issue submitted to the subtitle. Aluminum hydroxide adsorbs all elements of the vaccine and holds them at the injection site for a long time so that the immune response has formed before they enter the bloodstream and are excreted from the body. Therefore, the drug is not injected under the skin and not into adipose tissue, namely into the muscle. Children over 4 years old are injected into the forearm.
Do I need to be vaccinated?
Today, parents are truly put in a bind. Do not want to - do not, answer for yourself and blame yourself if the baby is seriously ill. Put? Good. But note: if there are complications, you yourself wanted a vaccine. And by the way, no one offers and does not prescribe the necessary comprehensive examination. Parents are trying to find the answer in books, articles, and discussions on the DTP forums. Decoding, reviews, a description of those rare cases when the consequences were the most serious - all this clearly does not favor vaccination. What to do?
Let's turn to the history. Before immunization, all children had pertussis, and at least 5% died. About 25% of infants suffered diphtheria, and mortality was observed in almost 50% of cases. Tetanus is a very dangerous disease. And today, despite the modern achievements of medicine, mortality is about 80% among patients.
Another thing is that due to mass immunization, the risk of an epidemic has significantly decreased, so your child can grow up and not get sick. Again, in the 70s in Europe there was a wave of refusals from vaccinations. The number of diseases, complications and deaths that followed in the next decade is incomparable with cases of complications after vaccination.
Summing up, we can say that DTP is a vaccine, reviews of which you can find the most diverse, often very negative, due to its high reactogenicity. But if you carefully approach the choice of the drug, pass preliminary tests and prepare the baby's body, you can significantly reduce the risk of complications and protect the child from dangerous diseases. You are the parents, it's up to you.