Immunization prevents the following 10 serious infections that can cause disease, disability, and death. These diseases used to strike thousands of children each year. Today there relatively few cases, but out breaks still occur each year because some babies are not immunized. Except where noted, these diseases spread when viruses or bacteria pass an infected person to the nose or throat of others. This serious disease is spread by a bacterium.
Diphtheria can block the airway, making it possible to breath.
It can also cause heart problems. Three of 10 people who get tetanus die. Pertussis is caused by a bacterium. It can cause spells of violent coughing and choking, making it hard to breathe, drink, or eat. The cough can last for weeks.