4

5

nia,

the

 of

ther

same

 the

 When

they

can

nfections.

hat people

ococcal

 can be

e flu shot.

gle dose.

people

second

mococcal

 received

 than 5

d were

they

me.

 than

coccal

who

 effects –

 and

(less than 1 percent) havefever, muscle pain, or moreserious swelling and painon the arm.

Pneumococcal disease is treated

with antibiotics. However, in recentyears the bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease have become more andmore resistant to penicillin. This isone reason why prevention and thedevelopment of newer, more effectivevaccines are so important.Tetanus and DiphtheriaTetanus (sometimes called lockjaw)is caused by the toxin (poison) of abacterium. The bacteria can enterthe body through a tiny pinprickor scratch but prefer deep puncturewounds or cuts like those made bynails or knives. Tetanus bacteriacommonly are found in soil, dust,and manure. Tetanus is not spreadfrom person to person. Commonfirst signs of tetanus are headacheand muscle stiffness in the jaw,followed by stiffness of the neck,difficulty swallowing, musclespasms, sweating, and fever.

it is caused by the toxin, or

poison, of a bacterium, but

it can spread from an infected

person to the nose or throat of

others. It can lead to breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis, andsometimes death. Diphtheria maybe mistaken for a severe sore throat.Other symptoms include a low-gradefever and enlarged lymph nodesin the neck. A second form ofdiphtheria causes sores on the skinthat may be painful, red, and swollen.

Vaccination is the best way to

protect yourself against tetanus anddiphtheria. Most people receive theirfirst vaccine as children in the formof a combined diphtheria-tetanuspertussis vaccine or DTP. For adults,a combination shot, called a Tdbooster, protects against both tetanusand diphtheria. You need a Td shotevery 10 years throughout life toprotect yourself against these rare,but dangerous, illnesses. Duringeveryday activities (such as gardening), the tetanus bacteria can entera break in the skin and cause infection. It’s particularly important tohave a booster shot if you have a
4

5

nia,

the

 of

ther

same

 the

 When

they

can

nfections.

hat people

ococcal

 can be

e flu shot.

gle dose.

people

second

mococcal

 received

 than 5

d were

they

me.

 than

coccal

who

 effects –

 and

(less than 1 percent) havefever, muscle pain, or moreserious swelling and painon the arm.

Pneumococcal disease is treated

with antibiotics. However, in recentyears the bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease have become more andmore resistant to penicillin. This isone reason why prevention and thedevelopment of newer, more effectivevaccines are so important.Tetanus and DiphtheriaTetanus (sometimes called lockjaw)is caused by the toxin (poison) of abacterium. The bacteria can enterthe body through a tiny pinprickor scratch but prefer deep puncturewounds or cuts like those made bynails or knives. Tetanus bacteriacommonly are found in soil, dust,and manure. Tetanus is not spreadfrom person to person. Commonfirst signs of tetanus are headacheand muscle stiffness in the jaw,followed by stiffness of the neck,difficulty swallowing, musclespasms, sweating, and fever.

it is caused by the toxin, or

poison, of a bacterium, but

it can spread from an infected

person to the nose or throat of

others. It can lead to breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis, andsometimes death. Diphtheria maybe mistaken for a severe sore throat.Other symptoms include a low-gradefever and enlarged lymph nodesin the neck. A second form ofdiphtheria causes sores on the skinthat may be painful, red, and swollen.

Vaccination is the best way to

protect yourself against tetanus anddiphtheria. Most people receive theirfirst vaccine as children in the formof a combined diphtheria-tetanuspertussis vaccine or DTP. For adults,a combination shot, called a Tdbooster, protects against both tetanusand diphtheria. You need a Td shotevery 10 years throughout life toprotect yourself against these rare,but dangerous, illnesses. Duringeveryday activities (such as gardening), the tetanus bacteria can entera break in the skin and cause infection. It’s particularly important tohave a booster shot if you have a
4

5

second

mococcal

 received

 than 5

d were

they

me.

 than

coccal

who

 effects –

 and

the body through a tiny pinprickor scratch but prefer deep puncturewounds or cuts like those made bynails or knives. Tetanus bacteriacommonly are found in soil, dust,and manure. Tetanus is not spreadfrom person to person. Commonfirst signs of tetanus are headacheand muscle stiffness in the jaw,followed by stiffness of the neck,difficulty swallowing, musclespasms, sweating, and fever.

of a combined diphtheria-tetanuspertussis vaccine or DTP. For adults,a combination shot, called a Tdbooster, protects against both tetanusand diphtheria. You need a Td shotevery 10 years throughout life toprotect yourself against these rare,but dangerous, illnesses. Duringeveryday activities (such as gardening), the tetanus bacteria can entera break in the skin and cause infection. It’s particularly important tohave a booster shot if you have a
9 10

U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesPublic Health ServiceNational Institutes of HealthApril 2000

s are

ns

r 1957

 one

rubella

ter their

such as

ple who

need a

efore

ey

e of

arm in

lready

.

abroad,

cal health

that you

shots is

em well in

ormation

red by

health

eported

rmation

Keeping a Shot RecordIt’s helpful to keep a personal immunization record with the types and datesof shots you’ve received, as well as anyside effects or problems that you had.The medical record in your doctor’soffice also should be kept up to date.

Widespread use of vaccines can

reduce the risk of developing anumber of contagious diseases thatseriously affect older people. Youcan protect yourself against theseillnesses by including vaccinationsas part of your regular health care.ResourcesFor more information abouthealth and aging, contactthe National Instituteon Aging Information Center at1-800-222-2225 or1-800-222-4225 (TTY).The Internet Website address ishttp://www.nih.gov/nia.The NIA distributes a numberof other free Age Pages, including“What to do About Flu.”

National Institute of Allergy andInfectious Diseases301-496-5717http://www.niaid.nih.govCenters for Disease Controland PreventionNational ImmunizationInformation Hotline1-800-232-2522http://www.cdc.govAmerican Lung Association1-800-LUNG-USA(1-800-586-4872)http://www.lungusa.orgNational Coalition forAdult ImmunizationSuite 7504733 Bethesda AvenueBethesda, MD 20814

http://www.nfid.org/ncai
9 10

U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesPublic Health ServiceNational Institutes of HealthApril 2000

 adults

s are

ns

r 1957

 one

rubella

ter their

such as

ple who

need a

efore

ey

e of

arm in

lready

.

abroad,

cal health

that you

shots is

em well in

ormation

red by

health

eported

rmation

Keeping a Shot RecordIt’s helpful to keep a personal immunization record with the types and datesof shots you’ve received, as well as anyside effects or problems that you had.The medical record in your doctor’soffice also should be kept up to date.

Widespread use of vaccines can

reduce the risk of developing anumber of contagious diseases thatseriously affect older people. Youcan protect yourself against theseillnesses by including vaccinationsas part of your regular health care.ResourcesFor more information abouthealth and aging, contactthe National Instituteon Aging Information Center at1-800-222-2225 or1-800-222-4225 (TTY).The Internet Website address ishttp://www.nih.gov/nia.The NIA distributes a numberof other free Age Pages, including“What to do About Flu.”

National Institute of Allergy andInfectious Diseases301-496-5717http://www.niaid.nih.govCenters for Disease Controland PreventionNational ImmunizationInformation Hotline1-800-232-2522http://www.cdc.govAmerican Lung Association1-800-LUNG-USA(1-800-586-4872)http://www.lungusa.orgNational Coalition forAdult ImmunizationSuite 7504733 Bethesda AvenueBethesda, MD 20814

http://www.nfid.org/ncai
9 10

U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesPublic Health ServiceNational Institutes of HealthApril 2000

y

.

abroad,

cal health

that you

shots is

em well in

ormation

red by

health

eported

rmation

For more information abouthealth and aging, contactthe National Instituteon Aging Information Center at1-800-222-2225 or1-800-222-4225 (TTY).The Internet Website address ishttp://www.nih.gov/nia.The NIA distributes a numberof other free Age Pages, including“What to do About Flu.”

Adult ImmunizationSuite 7504733 Bethesda AvenueBethesda, MD 20814

http://www.nfid.org/ncai