Immunizations Health Channel

	Feature Article Illustrations for this article Click on an image below to enlarge Hepatitis A immunization (vaccine) Immunizations Immunizations - general overview Definition Immunization (vaccination) is a way to trigger your immune system and prevent serious, life-threatening diseases. Alternative Names Vaccinations Information Our bodies are designed to protect us from infections. When you are exposed to a virus or bacteria, your immune system actually learns from the experience. The next time your body is exposed to the same infection, your immune system often recognizes it and sets out to destroy it. Immunization exposes you to a very small, very safe amount of the most important infections. This exposure helps your immune system recognize and attack the infection and prevent the disease it may cause. If you are exposed to the full-blown disease later in life, you will either not become infected or have a much milder infection. This is a natural way to deal with infectious diseases. After immunizations were introduced on a wide scale, infections such as tetanus, diphtheria, mumps, measles, pertussis (whooping cough), and polio became rare. Newer immunization have also decreased certain types of meningitis, pneumonia, and ear infections in children. Four different types of vaccines are currently available. Attenuated (weakened) live virus is used in the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the varicella (chicken pox) vaccine. These vaccines may cause serious infections in people with weakened immune systems. Killed (inactivated) viruses or bacteria are used in some vaccines, such as the influenza vaccine. These vaccines are safe, even in people with weakened immune systems. Continue reading this article

More Articles

Poliomyelitis (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Poliomyelitis is a viral disease that can affect nerves and lead to paralysis. Reviewer: Kenneth M. Wener, MD, Department of Infectious Diseases, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 01/22/2008
Email  |  Save

Diphtheria (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 06/17/2008
Email  |  Save

Tetanus (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Tetanus is a potentially deadly nervous system disease due to the bacteria Clostridium tetani (C. tetani. Reviewer: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 11/27/2006
Email  |  Save

Mumps (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Mumps is an acute, contagious disease that causes painful swelling of the salivary glands. The salivary glands produce saliva, a liquid that moistens food and helps you chew and swallow. See also: Salivary gland infections Reviewer: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/18/2006
Email  |  Save

Use Healthline to search the web for more Immunizations information.

Health Experts, Healthline's Network of Health Experts

Essential Vaccinations for Children. in Medicine for the Outdoors - 2 years 27 days ago

Essential Vaccinations for Children. Much is written in the wilderness medicine literature about vaccinations (shots given to boost the immune system in or... Email  |  Save

CDC Encourages Late-Season Flu Vaccinations. in Healthline Connects - 2 years 18 days ago

The CDC is encouraging a "late season" vaccination drive, as consumer demand often drops off sharply in late November, due to a mistaken belief. "It's very... Email  |  Save

CDC Warnings & Updates: March 3-10, 2008. in Healthline Connects - 266 days ago

(CDC) sends weekly updates to clinicians about public health issues. The CDC has a comprehensive website dedicated to Ricin. See the CDC website for furthe... Email  |  Save