| NFID | National Foundation for Infectious Diseases |
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| NIAID | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases |
| USAMRIID | United States Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases |
| IBV | infectious bronchitis vaccine; infectious bronchitis virus |
| IPV | inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine or virus; infectious pustular vaginitis; infectious pustular vulvo... |
| mumps immunization | The standard MMR vaccine is given to prevent measles, mumps and rubella (german measles). The mmr vaccine is now given in two dosages. The first should be given at12-15 months of age. The second vaccination should be given at 4-6 years (or, alternatively, 11-12 years) of age. most colleges require proof of a second measles or mmr vaccination prior to entrance. Most children should receive mmr vaccinations. Exceptions may include children born with an inability to fight off infection, some children with cancer, on treatment with radiation or drugs for cancer, on long term steroids (cortisone). People with severe allergic reactions to eggs or the drug neomycin should probably avoid the mmr vaccine. Pregnant women should wait until after delivery before being immunised with mmr. People with HIV or aids should normally receive mmr vaccine. Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines may be administered as individual shots, if necessary, or as a measles-rubella combination. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| pneumococcal pneumonia immunization | This vaccine, which prevents one of the most common and severe forms of pneumonia, is usually given only once in a lifetime, usually after the age of 55, to someone with ongoing lung problems (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma) or other chronic diseases (including those involving the heart and kidneys). This vaccination would rarely be given to children. (12 Dec 1998) |
| polio immunization | <virology> The vaccines available for vaccination against polio are opv (oral polio vaccine) and ipv (inactivated polio vaccine). Opv is still the preferred vaccine for most children. As its name suggests, it is given by mouth. Ipv, or inactivated polio vaccine is given as a shot in the arm or leg. Infants and children should be given four doses of opv. The doses are given at 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months and 4-6 years of age. Persons allergic to eggs or the drugs neomycin or streptomycin should receive opv, not the injectable ipv. Conversely, ipv should be given if the vaccine recipient is on long-term steroid (cortisone) therapy, has cancer, or is on chemotherapy or if a household member has aids or there is an unimmunised adult in the house. (21 Jun 1999) |
| haemophilus influenzae type b immunization | See HIB immunization, (12 Dec 1998) |
| hepatitis a immunization | When immediate protection against hepatitis a (infectious hepatitis) is needed, immunoglobulins are used. Protection is effective only if given within 2 weeks of exposure and lasts but 2-4 months. Immunoglobulins can be used to protect household contacts of someone with acute viral hepatitis and travelers to regions with poor sanitation and high hepatitis a rates, when the traveler has to depart sooner than the vaccines can take effect (about 2 weeks). Travelers can receive the immunoglobulin and vaccine simultaneously and be protected immediately and for longer term. When immediate protection is not needed, hepatitis a vaccines are considered for individuals in high-risk settings, including frequent world travelers, sexually active individuals with multiple partners, homosexual men, individuals using illicit drugs, employees of daycare centres, and certain healthcare workers, and sewage workers. Two hepatitis a vaccines called havrix and vaqta are commercially available in the u.s. Both are highly effective and provide protection even after only one dose. Two doses are recommended for adults and 3 doses for children (under 18 years of age) to provide prolonged protection. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hepatitis b immunization | Hepatits B (hep B) vaccine gives prolonged protection, but 3 shots over a half year are usually required. In the u.s., all infants receive hep b vaccine. Two vaccines (engerix-b, and recombivax-hb) are available in the us. The first dose of hep b vaccine is frequently given while the newborn is in the hospital or at the first doctor visit following birth. The second dose is given about 30 days after the initial dose. A booster dose is performed approximately six months later. Babies born to mothers testing positive for hep b receive, in addition, hbig (hep b immune globulin) for prompt protection. Older children (11-12 years) are advised to receive a hep b booster as are adults in high-risk situations including healthcare workers, dentists, intimate and household contacts of patients with chronic hep b infection, male homosexuals, individuals with multiple sexual partners, dialysis patients, iv drug users, and recipients of repeated transfusions. Healthcare workers accidentally exposed to materials infected with hep b (such as needle sticks), and individuals with known sexual contact with hep b patients are usually given both hbig and vaccine to provide immediate and long term protection. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hib immunization | This vaccine is to prevent disease caused by the haemophilus influenzae type b (hib) bacteria. The h. Influenzae (h. Flu) bacteria can cause a range of serious diseases including meningitis with potential brain damage and epiglottitis with airway obstruction poisoning. The hib vaccine is usually given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. A final booster is given at 12-15 months of age. Hib vaccine rarely causes severe reactions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| dpt immunization | DPT immunization protects from diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus and is given in a series of 5 shots at 2, 4, 6, 18 months of age and 4-6 years of age. Thanks to vaccination programs, these diseases have become less common. However, there are still unvaccinated individuals capable of carrying and passing diphtheria and pertussis to others who are not vaccinated. Tetanus bacteria are prevalent in natural surroundings, such as contaminated soil. See also DTaP immunization. (12 Dec 1998) |
| dtap immunization | Like DPT, DTaP protects from diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus. DTaP is the same as DTP, except that it contains only acellular pertussis vaccine which is thought to cause fewer of the minor reactions associated with immunization and is also probably less likely to cause the more severe reactions occasionally seen following pertussis vaccination. DTaP is currently recommended only for the shots given at 18 months and 4-6 years of age. (12 Dec 1998) |
| dt immunization | DT (diphtheria and tetanus) vaccine does not protect from pertussis and is usually reserved for individuals who have had a significant adverse reaction to a DPT shot or who have a personal or family history of a seizure disorder or brain disease. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization | <immunology> A process that increases an organisms reaction to antigen and therefore improves its ability to resist or overcome infection. <technique> A technique used to induce immune resistance to a specific disease in humans (or other mammals) by exposing the individual to an antigen in order to raise antibodies to that antigen. (13 Oct 1997) |
| immunization, anthrax | A series of six shots over six months and booster shots annually, the anthrax vaccine now in use in the usa was first developed in the 1950s and approved by the food and drug administration for general use in 1970. It is produced by the michigan biologic products institute of michigan's department of health and is given routinely to veterinarians and others working with livestock. In december, 1997 it was announced that all us military would receive the vaccine, as do the military in the uk and russia, the reason being concern that anthrax might be used in biologic warfare. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, chickenpox | This vaccine prevents the common disease known as chickenpox (varicella zoster). While chickenpox is often considered a trivial illness, it can cause significant lost time on the job and in school and have serious complications including ear infections, pneumonia, and infection of the rash with bacteria, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) leading to difficulty with balance and coordination (cerebellar ataxia), damaged nerves (palsies), and reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal complication. The vaccination requires only one shot given at about a year of age. If an older person has not had chickenpox, the shot may be given at any time. There have been few significant reactions to the chickenpox vaccine. All children, except those with a compromised immune system, should have the vaccination. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, children's | In the United States, it is recommended that all children receive vaccination against: hepatitis b diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis haemophilus influenzae type b (hib) poliovirus measles, mumps, rubella varicella zoster virus (chickenpox). Every child in the u.s. Should have these vaccinations except when there are special circumstances and the child's doctor advises specifically against a vaccination. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunization, dpt | DPT immunization protects from diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus and is given in a series of 5 shots at 2, 4, 6, 18 months of age and 4-6 years of age. Thanks to vaccination programs, these diseases have become less common. However, there are still unvaccinated individuals capable of carrying and passing diphtheria and pertussis to others who are not vaccinated. Tetanus bacteria are prevalent in natural surroundings, such as contaminated soil. See also immunization, dtap. (12 Dec 1998) |