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Updated on 02nd June, 2024 , 3 min read
The full form of DPT is Diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus. Diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus are all contagious diseases that can be prevented through the process of vaccination.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that affects the respiratory system. The causable bacteria is a gram-positive bacillus that is Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The strains of this bacteria produce toxins. It is spread through respiratory secretions, such as saliva and mucus, from infected individuals. Symptoms of Diphtheria are high fever, difficulty in swallowing of food and a thick, grey coating on the tonsils and pharynx. In severe cases, it can lead to heart failure and nerve damage complications
Pertussis, also known as Hundred-day cough(whooping cough), is a bacterial infection that affects the respiratory system. The causal microorganism of Pertussis is Bordetella pertussis (B. Pertussis). It is a gram-negative bacillus. It is communicable disease spread through respiratory secretions from infected individuals while coughing and sneezing. Pertussis causes severe coughing which generally last for several weeks, and it can be extremely threatening for young children.
Tetanus, Clostridium tetani, gram-positive bacilli secretes neurotoxins, which leads to the development of an infectious disease known as Tetanus that affects the nervous system. The bacterium Clostridium tetani, is found in soil, dust, and animal feces. Tetanus can enter the body through cuts, or puncture wounds and causes muscle spasms, stiffness, and difficulty in swallowing. It is not communicable from person to person. In severe cases, it can lead to respiratory failure and death.
The DTP vaccine, was first licensed in the United States in 1949 can protect against three infectious diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
The DPT vaccine is typically given as a series of three injections, with the first dose given at around 2 months of age, the second dose given at around 4 months of age, and the third dose given at around 6 months of age. Booster doses of the vaccine are recommended for children at ages 15-18 months and 4-6 years. For adults, booster doses of the vaccine are recommended every 10 years to maintain immunity against these diseases.
Due to widespread immunization campaigns, the incidence of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis has declined significantly in many parts of the world. However, these diseases are common, particularly in developing countries which do not have good healthcare and vaccines facilities.
DPT vaccine has been shown to produce some misfortune to human health. Hence these vaccines have been replaced by another version called DTaP vaccination in the 1990s.
DPT vaccine has the following components:
A toxoid refers to the inactivated form of toxins produced by microorganisms. The suppression of toxin is made either chemically or by giving it a heat treatment. The vaccine when administered to a patient generates an active immune response in the individual’s body. Simply, it leads to the formation of antibodies and antitoxins against inactive toxoids .
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By - Nikita Parmar 2024-09-06 10:59:22 , 6 min readDPT is a vaccine against three infectious diseases: diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus.
Portal of entry in Diphtheria: via the respiratory tract (respiratory route) Pertussis: it can gain entry by inhalation of infected air droplets by a healthy individual the medium of spread in the air is via coughing or sneezing episodes of an infected individual. Tetanus: the bacillus can enter the body through breaches, cuts or wounds in the mucous membrane of the skin.
The DPT vaccine is given in five doses. The three doses are given at a gap of 4 weeks. First at 6 weeks then at the age of 10 weeks and finally at 14 weeks. The first booster shot is administered at the age of 16-18 months followed by the last dose of DPT (second booster) at the age of 5 years.
The most common side effects of the DPT vaccine are mild and may include pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site, fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Serious side effects are rare, but they can include seizures, high fever, serious allergic reaction, severe swelling of the injected limb, non-stop crying for three hours or more, and persistent, inconsolable crying.