Save Yourself From These Infectious Diseases

Vaccines don’t just fight off an infection; they break a chain of infections.

Vaccine-preventable diseases still circulate around the world, so continued vaccination is necessary to protect everyone from potential outbreaks.

The reputed dental clinics in India are risk free from such infectious diseases by taking proper precautions and vaccinations.

Following is the regime for some infectious diseases that the dental professionals may be exposed to.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A vaccine is an inactivated (killed) vaccine. You will need 2 doses for long-lasting protection. These doses should be given at least 6 months apart.

The hepatitis A vaccine also comes in a combination form, containing both hepatitis A and B vaccine, that can be given to persons 18 years or older. This form is given as three shots, over a period of six months or as three shots over one month and a booster shot at 12 months.

Adults who have not been vaccinated previously and want to be protected against hepatitis A can also get the vaccine.

Results indicate that, after completion of the primary two-dose series, anti-HAV antibodies may persist for 25 years or more

A combination hepatitis A/typhoid (ViCPS) vaccine, administered as a single dose, confers high levels of protection against both these waterborne diseases.

Booster doses may not be necessary.

Protection is achieved 2–4 weeks after first dose.

Hepatitis B

The complete vaccination series of Hepatitis B consists of three doses of vaccine.

WHO-recommended schedule for hepatitis B immunization of children consists of a dose within 24 hours of birth followed by a second and third dose in the 1st and 6th month.

A complete series of immunization provides protection for at least 25 years and, according to current scientific evidence, probably for life.

Boosters are not recommended for routine immunization programmes.

Babies who are born to infected mothers should have an injection of immunoglobulin as soon as possible after they are born. They should also be immunized.

The first dose of vaccine is given within the first day after birth. This is followed by three further doses at 1 month, 2 months and 12 months of age. At 12 months, immunized babies have a blood test to check that the vaccine has worked.

If you have been at risk from a possible source of infection of Hepatitis B and you are not immunized, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

For example, if you have a needle stick injury or have been bitten by someone who may have hepatitis B, you should have an injection of immunoglobulin as soon as possible. This is an injection which contains antibodies against the virus. It gives short-term protection.

The hepatitis B vaccine is very effective at preventing infection if given shortly after contact with hepatitis B.

Dentists in Delhi are making sure their auxiliary staff is also vaccinated.

Tuberculosis

TB is spread through the air from one person to another.

The TB bacteria enter the air when a person with active TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby can breathe in these bacteria and become infected.

Dental health-care personnel can be at risk for transmission because surgical masks do not prevent inhalation of M. tuberculosis droplet nuclei.

When treating a patient with active disease, dental personnel should use respiratory protection (e.g., fitted, disposable N-95 respirators). Standard surgical face masks are not adequate to protect against tuberculosis transmission.

BCG is a vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) disease. It is given at birth or as early as possible till one year of age.

Herpes

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful skin rash that develops on one side of the face or body.

Your risk of shingles and long-term pain from the disease increases as you age.

People 60 years or older should get shingles vaccine to prevent the disease, regardless of whether they recall having had chickenpox, which is caused by the same virus as shingles.

Protection from the shingles vaccine lasts about 5 years. In adults vaccinated at 60 years or older, protection from the vaccine decreases within the first 5 years after vaccination.

Therefore, if you receive the vaccine before age 60 years you might not be protected later in life when your risk for shingles and its complications are greatest.

Influenza

A flu vaccine is needed annually.

An annual vaccine is needed for optimal protection because body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time.

Also because flu viruses are constantly changing, so the formulation of the flu vaccine is reviewed each year and sometimes updated to keep up with changing flu viruses.

It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection.

While everyone should get vaccinated, it’s especially important for people who are more likely to suffer complications from the flu, such as immuno-suppressed patients and pregnant women, infants, young children, the elderly and those suffering from chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma.

Dentists in dental clinics in Delhi are keeping themselves immunized so that they do not have to refuse any patient with enlisted diseases.

People who are vaccinated are not only protecting themselves, they are indirectly protecting the people in this community who are not vaccinated.

Dentists in India are getting aware and taking appropriate measures to ensure-

• Asepsis and sterilization
• Handling medical emergencies
• Preventing the speed of infectious diseases

It is important to vaccinate children on time, according to the childhood immunization schedule, to provide the best protection early in life, when babies are vulnerable and before they are likely to be exposed to diseases.

Posted by- Dr Shriya