Vaccine Preventable Diseases in Childhood

There are many diseases that can potentially cause serious illness or death in children. Fortunately many of them are preventable through immunisation. This page includes a brief introduction to some of these diseases; for more detailed information please visit the disease information section of our website using the link on the left of this page.

Diphtheria (Ref: GB pg 109)

Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease caused by a toxin-producing bacteria
The disease affects the upper respiratory tract and occaisionally the skin
The disease is caught by breathing in the droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or by coming into contact with their soiled clothes or bedding
The toxin produced by the bacteria can affect the heart and nerves, potentially causing cardiac failure or paralysis
Diphtheria is now very rare in the UK but is still prevalent in other parts of the world

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (Ref: GB pg 127-128)

Hib is caused by a bacterium, Haemophilus influenzae type b and is transmitted by coughing or sneezing or through close contact
Hib can cause serious disease, especially in young children
The most common form of invasive Hib disease is meningitis which is often accompanied by bacteraemia (bacteria in the blood)
Hib meningitis is potentially fatal and even when it isn't, survivors can be left with after affects such as deafness, seizures and intellectual impairement

Measles (Ref: GB pgs 209-210)

Measles is an acute illness caused by a virus
Measles is one of the most infectious diseases and is spread via coughing and sneezing
The disease causes a rash and fever, as well as a cough, conjunctivitis or a runny nose
The most common complications of measles include ear infections, pneumonia, diarrhoea and convulsions
Rarer complications include encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and sub-acute sclerosing panencephalitis (a chronic, progressive encephalitis often occuring many years after the intial infection and which is ultimately fatal)

Meningococcal group C disease (meningitis C) Ref: GB pgs 235-237)

Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, meningitis C is caused by N meningitidis serogroup C
Meningococcal infection most often presents as meningitis or septicaemia (blood poisoning) or both
Some people may carry the bacteria harmlessly in the back of their nose and throat and it is not understood why some go on to develop invasive disease and others don't
Patients can deteriorate rapidly and the overall mortality in the UK is 10%
Survivors may be left with long-term effects such as skin scars, limb amputations, hearing loss, seizures and brain damage

Mumps (Ref: GB pg 255)

Mumps is an acute viral illness characterised by swelling of the salivary glands on one or both sides of the jaw
Mumps is spead by coughing and sneezing and is infectious for several days before the swelling appears to several days afterwards
Complications include meningitis, encephalitis, pancreatitis, oopheritis (inflamation of the ovaries) and orchitis (inflammation of the testis), deafness and rarely, death

Pertussis (ref: GB pg 277)

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly infectious disease caused by a bacterium, Bordatella pertussis
The disease causes an irritating cough which is often followed by a characteristic whoop and may be accompanied by vomiting
The illness may last for two or three months
Minor complications include nosebleeds, facial swelling, ulceration of the tongue and ear infections
Serious complications may include pneumonia, weight loss due to repeated vomiting and a risk of brain damage because of reduced oxygen getting to the brain
Severe complications and death most often ocurr in infants younger than 6 months of age

Polio (Ref: GB pg 313)

Poliomyelitis, or polio, is caused by a virus
The polio virus is mainly transmitted via the faecal-oral route, that is by drinking or drinking anything that has been contaminated with the faeces of someone infected with the virus
Polio can range in severity from an inapparent infection with no symptoms to permanent paralysis or death

Rubella (Ref: GB pg 343)

Rubella is a mild, viral illness transmitted via coughing and sneezing; the majority of those infected will get a rash about two weeks after exposure
Complications include thrombocytopaenia (a bleeding disorder), encephalitis and arthritis and arthralgia in adults
Rubella infection in pregnancy may lead to foetal loss or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS)
CRS may result in one or more of the following in the unborn child: cataracts and other eye defects, deafness, heart abnormalities, an abnormally small head leading to abnormal brain growth, and foetal growth retardation

Tetanus (Ref: GB pg 367)

Tetanus is a potentially fatal disease caused by infection with a toxin-producing bacterium called Clostridium tetani
The bacteria survive in soil or manure as spores and can start to produce the toxin when introduced into the body through a puncture wound, burn or scratch
The disease results in rigidty and spasms in the muscles; muscle stiffness usually involves the jaw which gives the disease its common name, lockjaw
It is impossible to eradicate tetanus as the spores are present everywhere throughout the world in soil; it is not spread from person to person

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