What do vaccines protect you from?
Vaccines protect you and your family from these diseases:

Diphtheria (the "D" in DTaP vaccine)

• It causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, airway
• It can lead to breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis, death
• It can be prevented by having the DTaP vaccine, Td or Tdap

Tetanus (the "T" in DTaP vaccine)

• Also called Lock Jaw, Tetanus causes serious, painful spasms of all muscles and can lead to "locking of the jaw,"so the patient cannot open mouth or swallow
• It can lead to death
• It can be prevented by having the DTaP vaccine, Td or Tdap

Pertussis (the "aP" in DTaP vaccine)

• Also called Whooping Cough, Pertussis can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage or death
• It can be prevented by having the DTaP vaccine, Td or Tdap

Polio

• Causes fever, sore throat, nausea, headache, diarrhea, stomachache, stiffness in the neck, back and legs
• It can lead to breathing difficulty, paralysis or death
• It can be prevented by having the polio vaccine (IPV)

Measles (the first "M" in MMR vaccine)

• Causes rash, cough and fever
• It can lead to diarrhea, ear infection, pneumonia, brain damage or death
• It can be prevented by having the MMR vaccine

Mumps (the second "M" in MMR vaccine)

• Causes fever, headache and swollen glands under the jaw
• It can lead to hearing loss, painful, swollen testicles, meningitis (an infection of the brain & spinal cord)
• It can be prevented by having the MMR vaccine

Rubella (the "R'' in MMR vaccine)

• Also called German Measles, Rubella causes rash, mild fever, swollen glands, arthritis
• Babies could die during pregnancy
• Babies could be born deaf, blind, with brain damage, heart disease or other serious problems
• It can be prevented by having the MMR vaccine

Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib)

• Causes meningitis, pneumonia and other infections
• It can lead to ear infections, croup, permanent brain damage or death
• It can be prevented by having the Hib vaccine

Hepatitis B (HBV)

• Causes a life long contagious infection & chronic illness
• It can lead to chronic liver disease or cancer
• It can be prevented by having the HBV vaccine

Varicella

• Also called Chicken Pox, Varicella causes fever, itchy blisters and more serious illness
• It can be complicated by bacterial infections of the skin and lungs, causing brain damage & death
• It can be prevented with a vaccine

Pneumococcal (PCV-13)

• A serious disease among children
• It can cause ear infections, meningitis or death
• It can be prevented with a vaccine

Hepatitis A

• Causes fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and jaundice
• A person who has hepatitis A can easily pass the disease to others within the same household
• It can be prevented with a vaccine

Rotavirus

• Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea among children
• Annually causes 55,000 U.S. children to be hospitalized and 600,000 children die worldwide
• It can be prevented with a vaccine
  
  

Human Papillomavirus- HPV

• HPV infection is the most common Sexually Transmitted Infection in the U.S.
• It can cause cervical cancer and other diseases in females
• It can be prevented with a vaccine
  
  

Meningococcal

• Causes infection of the fluid of a person's spinal cord or fluid that surrounds the brain
• It can lead to high fever, headache, stiff neck, death
• It can be prevented with vaccine

Influenza

• a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses
• It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.
• It can be prevented with vaccine (needed annually)

How much do vaccines cost?

Your child may be eligible for free vaccines. If you are not sure if your child is covered under the Vaccine for Children program, or you would like to make an appointment, call the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health at (641) 421-9321.  

Communicable Disease Summary: A Guide for Schools and Daycares

Page updated 10/10

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Communicable Diseases Summary: A Guide for Schools

If we can assist you in any way, please contact our Disease Prevention staff at (641) 421-9321.