Tetanus is a disease affecting the nervous system. It is caused by bacteria that enter the body through a cut in the skin, but is not transmissible person to person. Tetanus may follow elective surgery, burns, deep puncture wounds, crush wounds, otitis media (ear infections), dental infection, and animal bites. Symptoms include lockjaw, stiffness in the neck and abdomen, difficulty swallowing, muscle spasms, nervous system disorders and death in about 1 out of 10 patients.
Prevention: DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis) vaccine
Frequency: Adults should receive the vaccine/booster shot once every 10 years.
Pertussis is a bacterial respiratory illness. It is usually spread from person-to-person through close contact, like an office setting, where when someone coughs or sneezes respiratory droplets are released. Early symptoms of pertussis are similar to the common cold and include runny nose, sneezing, and a low-grade fever. However, it includes severe spasms of coughing which become progressively worse and can last for several weeks or even for months.
Pertussis, or whopping cough, is one of the most commonly occurring vaccine preventable diseases in the United States. It is highly contagious and in the last decade, there has been a rise in incidence in all age groups. It is associated with a prolonged or severe cough, which can last anywhere from weeks to months. According to the CDC, the reported number of cases, in 2005, was over 25,000, but a vast majority goes unreported, with some experts estimating the actual number of cases to be one to three million.
Prevention: DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis) vaccine
Frequency: Adults should receive the vaccine/booster shot once every 10 years.
Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox, the varicella zoster virus. Anyone who has had chicken pox may contract shingles; however shingles is not spread from person to person. The virus lies dormant in your body, but for some reason and for some adults, the virus reactivates and shingles occur. Symptoms can include fever, headache, chills, upset stomach, and a painful skin rash of blistering lesions. Shingles is most common in people over 60 and people who are immunocompromised.
Prevention: Adults over 60 should receive the zoster vaccine
Frequency: Once for those over the age of 60.
starts with a fever and is followed by cough, runny nose or pink eye.
Although it is very rare in the United States, measles is common in other regions of the world. Recent outbreaks in the U.S. include one in 2008, when it spread to 15 states. The diease can originate and spread from both the developing and developed world. According to the CDC, a number of the 2008 cases can be tracked to travelers coming from countries like Switzerland and Israel. Outbreaks occur when travelers bring the virus to the U.S. and spread the infection to unvaccinated individuals.
is a viral infection that affects thr salivary glands. It is spread through close contact of an infected person. Symptoms include: fever, headache, muscle ache, tiredeness, loss of appetite, and swelling near jaw line.
Since the introduction of the mumps vaccine in 1967, cases of mumps in the U.S. have been declining. It remains endemic in other countries because only 58% (of World Health Organization member countries) use the vaccine. The MMR vaccine protects individuals from measles, mumps and rubella. Employees may travel to a country where the vaccine is rarely used, therefore, it is important to determine if your employees have been vaccinated with MMR and if not, ensure they obtain the vaccine.
ymptoms include fever, headache, runny nose and rash.
Prevention: MMR vaccine
Frequency: One shot delivered to children at age 12-15 months and the second shot recommended for children age 4-6. It is also recommended for any adult worker born during or after 1957 who has not had mumps or has not received the MMR vaccine.
Pneumococcal pneumonia is caused by a bacteria that affects the lungs. This type of pneumonia is spread person to person through coughing, sneezing, or contact with respiratory secretions. Symptoms include high fever, cough, shortness of breath, rapid breathing and chest pains.
Although the percentage of adults receiving the pneumonia vaccine is on the rise - 42% vaccination rates in 1997 and 61% vaccination rates in 2009 - a significant portion have still not been vaccinated. With 175,000 cases each year, pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia acquired outside of hospitals. The fatality rate is about 5-7% with higher rates of death in the elderly . Adults over 65, children under 2 years and those with certain are at highest risk of developing pneomonia.
Prevention: Pneumococcal vaccine
Frequency: Recommended for adults over the age of 65 or adults with chronic health problems. One dose is required.