Vaccinations- Are they effective?

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Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis, which was known as consumption in the past, is now often called TB. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that affects the body’s organs especially the lungs. A person usually becomes infected with tuberculosis by inhaling tiny droplets of infected sputum containing Myobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, but may also become infected after eating food contaminated with the bacteria. If the infected person is not immune, the bacteria grow in the body and spread from the lungs to other parts of the body. Eventually the patient develops immunity and the bacteria are engulfed by T-cells and macrophages and do not cause further damage. At a later stage, these T-cells and macrophages may be broken down due to reduced immunity or another disorder. The symptoms of tuberculosis then appear.

The initial symptoms of tuberculosis for both children and adults are tiredness, weight-loss, fever during the evening and profuse sweating at night. Coughing and sputum producing are also common symptoms.

Children: Fever, weight-loss, and swelling of the lymph glands frequently occur with Tuberculosis.

Adults: Symptoms of advanced tuberculosis in adults include chest pain, fever, weight-loss, fatigue and loss of appetite.

The BCG vaccine was developed by Leon Calmette and Camille Guerin in 1921. The name BCG means bacille Calmette-Guerin. The BCG is a preparation of live, attenuated tuberculosis organisms that give protection against the potentially fatal natural form of the disease. Tuberculosis is not common in the United States anymore so the BCG is rarely used there. In Europe however, tuberculosis is still common so children are vaccinated with the BCG. Before vaccinating, a skin test is conducted to show if natural immunity has been acquired. Scientists at the NIAID in America have been researching a new vaccine for the eradication of tuberculosis worldwide, as the BCG is not effective among some populations.

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella (German measles).

Measles is a highly contagious disease that causes high fever, cough, and a spotty rash. It can cause serious permanent damage to the victim including brain damage. It can also cause meningitis.

Possible complications include ear infections and pneumonia as well. More rarely, measles can infect the brain, causing convulsions, hearing loss, mental retardation, and even death. Babies under 2 and adults get much sicker with measles than do primary school children.

Mumps – The Disease

Mumps can be a very serious disease, causing meningitis or hearing loss. Teenage and adult males who get mumps may have painful swelling of the testicles for several days, although no infertility problems later. They get much sicker and suffer longer than children do with the disease.

Mumps – The Symptoms

Mumps is known for causing painful, swollen salivary glands under the jaw, as well as fever and headache.

See the Rubella Vaccine

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