Adult Immunizations: Tdap
Adult Immunizations: TdapEvery year, thousands of adults suffer from severe illnesses, and many may even die, from diseasesthat can be prevented.The good news is that you can protect yourself from some of these diseases, the best way is to getvaccinated.TDAP stands for Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis.Tetanus, sometimes called Lockjaw, enters your body through a cut or wound and can affect your brain andnervous system causing painful muscle stiffness.Diphtheria and Pertussis are both caused by bacteria that spreads from person to person through a sneeze ora cough. Both lead to serious health problems.Diphtheria can cause breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis, and even death.Pertussis, also called Whooping Cough, can cause severe coughing spells and may lead to pneumonia.The best way to prevent all three is to get vaccinated.A vaccine contains a dead part of a germ, in this case, it is a combination of the germs that cause allthree diseases. The germs won’t make you sick, but your body reacts to the vaccine by makingantibodies which fight against the germs in order to protect your body.After getting a vaccine, when your body comes in contact with those germs again, it already has theability to fight them and can help prevent the infection.If you are 19 years old or older and have never had a Tdap vaccine before, talk to your healthcareprovider about getting vaccinated. Especially if you are: a healthcare worker, a caregiver to an infantunder the age of one, or you are pregnant in your third trimester.You may also be given this vaccine if you have a severe cut or burn and have not been vaccinatedbefore. Injuries like this can increase your risk for Tetanus.To stay protected against Tetanus and Diphtheria, you may be given a Tdap vaccine once every 10years.If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine, tell your healthcare provider beforegetting this vaccine.If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in this vaccine, you should not get it.Talk to your healthcare provider before getting the Tdap vaccine if you have epilepsy or other nervoussystem problem, or if you have ever had Guillain-Barre Syndrome.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG58100B EN AdultImmunizationsTdap.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 2Adult Immunizations: TdapThe Tdap vaccine is given by injection.If you aren’t feeling well when your injection is scheduled, talk to your healthcare provider orpharmacist. She may recommend you wait until you feel better to get the vaccine.The Tdap vaccine is safe. But as with any medication, there is a small risk of side effects. The most commonside effect is a reaction at the injection site. Look for redness, swelling and soreness at the site. These shouldgo away after a few days.Less common side effects may include a mild fever, headache, nausea or vomiting, muscle aches, feelingtired, and swollen glands.If you have a severe reaction like trouble breathing, hives, swelling of your face or throator if you have chest pain, fast heartbeat, seizures, dizziness, feel like you are going to pass out call 911 andget help immediately.This is not the complete list of side effects. Make sure you discuss all possible side effects with yourhealthcare provider.You can get your Tdap vaccine at your next healthcare appointment. Or you can get it at your localpharmacy or community health clinic.It is a good idea to keep a list of all vaccines you get so you don’t double-up in the future. Ask yourhealthcare provider for a print-out of your records or keep a log yourself.Your records should include the date, type of vaccine dose and where you got it. Let a family memberknow where you keep this list in case of emergency.Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening health problems.But they can be prevented.If you have not had the Tdap vaccine before talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist aboutgetting vaccinated. It is the best way to prevent infection and stay healthy.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG58100B EN AdultImmunizationsTdap.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 2 of 2
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