We are living in a period in which communicable disease epidemics are few and far between. We don't reside in fear of getting polio, where paralysis of both the legs and lungs are unavoidable. Nor do we have intense outbreaks of measles. Healthcare providers, and our country's population, have worked together to reduce and isolate outbreaks of highly contagious, deadly ailments within decades of misuse and growth of preventative measures.
Vaccines would be the lifesaving tool, you are the consumer that makes it happen. In the event you're anything like us, your curiosity and desire for knowledge about this type of preventative medicine is powerful, which is precisely why we chose to speak about a few common vaccines, what they do, and the reason why we receive them.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B, also known as HBV, is a disease that attacks the liver. It can cause sudden start or recurring liver disease. As soon as we say physiological fluids, we mean something as simple as mucous or saliva, which are generated during a cough and spread into the air/surrounding objects.
What's the big deal?
Your liver is responsible for several functions in your body. It synthesizes proteins that your body needs, detoxes your blood, converts the sugars that you eat into energy your body can use, stores minerals and vitamins for later use, and even makes angiotensinogen (a hormone that your kidneys ask to boost your blood pressure and enhance renal filtration). That is not a complete list of liver function, either.
According to Medical News Daily, your liver does someplace around 500 different things to your entire body! When it malfunctions, it affects all your other systems. It may affect your general health in a really serious manner. Obtaining the Hepatitis B vaccine protects you from a highly contagious infection that's notorious for disrupting your liver processes (all 500 of them). That is why you get this specific vaccine.
When can you receive it?
The vaccine comes in three, sometimes four installments. The initial is given at birth, the second and third are given between the first month and 15 months of age. If you're thinking this seems awfully young to be given a vaccine, then know this: according to the World Health Organization, 80-90percent of infants that are infected with Hepatitis B in their first year of life may suffer chronic liver ailments for the rest of their life.
Polio
Polio, also known as Poliomyelitis strikes your spinal cord, destroying nerve cells and preventing communication from the brain to the rest of your physique. Infants and pregnant women are most susceptible to the virus, and there's absolutely no cure. Transmission is most common through feces, generally throughout the fecal-oral route. It can, however, also be transmitted through other physiological fluids in something as straightforward as sharing a glass of water.
What's the big deal?
Even though the World Health Organization has made leaps and bounds in trying to eradicate polio from our world, it exists. Thanks to our country's vaccination programs, the last known case of naturally occurring polio in the U.S. dates back to 1979. The vaccine is so powerful, 99 out of 100 kids who complete their schooling program for polio are protected from it. That is the reason why we use this particular vaccine.
When do you receive it?
The first dose is given at two months old, with the following second and third doses given involving the 4th month and 15 months old.

Measles
It is so infectious, if someone has it, 9 out of 10 people around them will probably become infected if they aren't vaccinated.
Due to the vaccination program in the USA, measles was tagged as removed from our nation. But this does not actually mean fully eliminated. It simply means there is no longer a continuous existence of the disease. It can still make its way here via travelers who aren't vaccinated.
Mumps
Mumps is a disease that attacks the adrenal glands, located under your tongue and also at the front of the ears. It can result in extreme swelling of the glands, and even hearing loss (although the latter is less common). It is very contagious and there is no cure, but there is a vaccine! Mumps is still within the United States, hence why shooting preventative measures is extremely important.
Rubella
Also known as the German Measles, Rubella is a viral infection that poses the greatest threat to pregnant women. If a pregnant woman contracts Rubella, the fetus is at risk for congenital defects and in some cases, death.
What's the big deal?
These three viruses are highly infectious, and target children. In some cases, children can bounce back fairly nicely. In others, the effects are seen throughout their lives. Because these are viruses, there isn't any simple antibiotic therapy they could get. The best defense is a fantastic offense. That's precisely why we vaccinate for MMR.
When do you get it?
This vaccine bottle comes in two installments. The first is given between 12 and 15 months, the second administered between 4 and 6 years old.

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that affects your respiratory system. The bacteria binds to a own tissue, and starts releasing toxins which kill the tissue. The ending state is a thick coating of dead tissue mucus, bacteria, and toxins on your throat and nose which makes it hard to swallow and breathe.
It is spread through something as straightforward as coughing. There is treatment available because it's a bacteria. Compounds and antitoxin drugs are administered, and the patient has been kept in isolation until they are no longer infectious.
Tetanus
Tetanus is a disease from bacteria called Clostridium tetani. It may be found almost everywhere as spores (even dust and soil), and grows into bacteria when it finds a home in the human body. It enters your body through a break in your skin just like a little cut, a puncture, or a hangnail that shattered skin.
Other signs include muscle spasms, seizures, painful muscle stiffness, and changes in blood pressure.
There is a specific antibiotic for tetanus, as this specific infection is harmful. It requires immediate hospital care, effective and thorough wound care from the entrance point, close monitoring for dangerous complications such as pulmonary embolisms, along with extra antibiotics.
Pertussis
Pertussis is better called Whooping Cough. It is brought on by the germs Bordatella pertussis, and it attacks the lymph system. It is called Whooping Cough because the affected person will have coughing spells so strong and violent they are gasping for air, making a whooping sound.
It's highly contagious, and spread through saliva droplets in the atmosphere which are expelled during coughing. There's limited treatment, and it is effective primarily in the beginning phases prior to the coughing begins. Once the coughing starts, antibiotics may kill the bacteria but there is already damage done to your respiratory system.
What's the big deal?
All three of these bacteria have harmful effects on the body, particularly to infants and kids. Once the infection begins, it can be difficult to diagnose early, which allows additional time for permanent damage and/or severe complications to happen. This is why we use the DTaP vaccine.
When can you get it?
The DTaP vaccine is administered in four installations. The first is given at 2 months old, the following 3 will be administered all the way through 15 months old.
This advice isn't intended to frighten you in getting a vaccination. Our purpose is to show you why they're relevant, important, and crucial to our health and the health of our children.
If you'd like to explore some more resources on vaccinations and the recommended time-frames for receiving them, check out the CDC's Immunization Schedule. It insures two months to 18 years old, and lists what vaccines are recommended for that which age range.