Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease that is mainly spread through respiratory droplets from sneezes and coughs. If you have the infection, breathing could become quite challenging. Thankfully, a vaccine is available to prevent this illness. To reduce your chance of developing an infection when travelling, you should practice good respiratory and hand hygiene, particularly if you are currently in or have recently been in crowded or congested locations. Keep reading to learn more about the diphtheria vaccine in Manchester.
DTP stands for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio/Pertussis. The DTP immunisation helps prevent these infections. Diphtheria and whooping cough are infectious diseases. Tetanus can be transmitted through cuts or other wounds, and the poliovirus is known to cause polio, a potentially fatal disease.
Children should receive five doses of DTaP, frequently at the following ages:
– 2 months
– 4 months
– 6 months
– 15–18 months
– 4–6 years
DTaP can be given as a standalone injection or as part of a combination vaccine (a type of vaccination that incorporates more than one vaccine into a single jab).
Even after completing the childhood routine immunisation schedule, you may still require a booster dose of the vaccine every 10 years if you are travelling to a place where diphtheria is considered to be high risk.
Tetanus, diphtheria, and polio immunity are boosted with the 3-in-1 or Td/IPV vaccine, sometimes known as the teenage booster.
All adolescents under the age of 14 are qualified for a free 3-in-1 teenage booster on the NHS as part of the national vaccination programme. It is regularly offered at secondary schools in conjunction with the MenACWY vaccine.
Just before the vaccinations are scheduled, parents will usually get a letter from the school requesting their consent for their child. A home-schooled child who falls within the eligible school-age range should also be given the vaccination.
Antibiotics are used to treat the skin and respiratory symptoms of diphtheria. The majority of treatments last between two and three weeks. Skin ulcers usually heal between two and three months, but they may leave you with a scar.
Antitoxin drugs are occasionally used to stop toxins from causing harm to the body. Those who have respiratory issues require hospital treatment to assist in their breathing and prevent complications.
Due to effective child vaccination programmes, these infections are now extremely rare, particularly in the UK. To ensure that this continues to be the case, the DTP vaccine is standardised as part of the typical childhood vaccination regimen.
Since these diseases are still widespread in many other countries, anyone planning to travel to such regions of the world should consider getting the vaccine.
Travellers are protected from fatal diseases by vaccinations. Depending on where you go, you can come into contact with illnesses that are rare in the UK. Before travelling to some places, you might also need to receive some other vaccinations.
Vaccinations keep you healthy and enable you to travel safely. Additionally, it will help guarantee that you don’t infect your neighbours, friends, and family with any serious diseases.
Book your appointment with SM Travel Clinic today to get your diphtheria vaccine in Manchester.
This blog post was written on behalf of the South Manchester Travel Clinic by Pharmacy Mentor.
