In the last several years, though amazing advancements in information and diagnosis technology have stunned the medical community, many healthcare professionals are perplexed at the resurgence of diseases that were once thought to have been eradicated. Though healthcare IT news has show promising signs forward, disease like whooping cough and diphtheria have many concerned. With recent developments, there are several vaccinations that the medical field is urging citizens to get vaccinated against.
This revival of older or dormant diseases is believed to be, in one part, due to complacency on the medical industry’s part and also due to increased global travel. Many countries still struggle with diseases that are rare in more developed countries. International travel is exposing people to contagions that many no longer have immunities to because of the lack of exposure. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now recommending a renewed vigilance with vaccines and other preventative measures.
There are seven different vaccines that the CDC is recommending to adults:
Pertussis booster: This shot is given to people in order to strengthen their immunity.
Whooping Cough Vaccine: Also called the Tdap, many cases have been reported across the world in recent years. If preventative measures aren’t taken the disease can prove fatal, especially in young children and newborns.
Tetanus-Diphtheria (TD) Booster: This is mean to be given every 10 years. Pertussis is now being included in the standard booster. Many people don’t get a Tetanus shot unless they’ve cut themselves but it’s recommended that people get a vaccination for this.
Chicken Pox Vaccine: Also know as Varivax. This vaccine is still usually given to young children since younger children have a much milder case than adults.
It’s estimated that only 2 percent of the population currently have an up-to-date shot record. This needs to change if we’re going to affectively keep the outbreak of these disease contained. It’s the hope that with increased advancements in technology and quicker diagnosis that we will be able to decrease the treatment time and mortality rate. The world’s population is aging and growing at the same time. Unless the world’s governments come up with a more coordinated effort in fighting a lot of these old diseases, it’s impossible to know how far these outbreaks will go.
Always ask a doctor about these vaccinations and others that you may need before traveling. Keeping up-to-date on you, and your child’s, medical records is the best way to ensure the health and well being of your household.
