What is diphtheria (croup)?
Diphtheria is a contagious infection with a bacterium The bacterium is transmitted by
people through coughing and sneezing, but also through wound fluids.
Where does diphtheria occur?
Diphtheria occurs all over the world as a childhood disease. In countries where it
vaccination programme is well adhered to, diphtheria is mainly an import disease that is
does not lead to further spread.
What are the symptoms of diphtheria?
The diphtheria bacteria make toxins that can cause the throat to swell severely and make breathing difficult
is hampered. If the toxins enter the blood, they can affect the heart or nervous system
damage, which can lead to death. This risk is highest in young babies and
elderly. In skin diphtheria, sores form in the skin.
How can you prevent diphtheria?
Most people born after 1950 in the Netherlands or any other western country are like
child vaccinated against diphtheria with the D(K)TP (Diphtheria (Whooping cough) Tetanus Polio) Vaccine.
As a result, diphtheria is very rare in the Netherlands. Because the vaccine, after a full series
10 years protects, people travelling to a non-Western country who have more than 10
have had the vaccination years ago, receive one revaccination to regain sufficient
to be protected.
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious disease caused by
by a bacterium. People can infect each other through coughing. Whooping cough is dangerous for
young babies. These can become very stuffy and exhausted. The biggest
sources of infection for newborn babies are mother, father and older brothers and
sisters. A person can contract whooping cough several times in their lifetime. An infection with the
whooping cough thus does not protect against a subsequent infection with this bacterium.
Where does whooping cough occur?
Whooping cough occurs worldwide, including in the Netherlands.
What are the symptoms of whooping cough?
Whooping cough often starts with symptoms similar to an ordinary nasal cold. After that, it starts
coughing. This can turn into long coughing fits, with tough mucus being coughed up. The long
coughing may be followed by wheezing, sometimes the patient has to vomit.
Whooping cough can also lead to pneumonia. In young babies, whooping cough can be severe. They
can become so exhausted that they stop breathing. This causes them to suffer oxygen deprivation or
brain haemorrhages, which can cause brain damage.
How can you prevent whooping cough?
Since 1957, all children in the Netherlands have been offered a vaccination against whooping cough through
the National Vaccination Programme. Vaccination gives protection for a number of years, but not
fully. Therefore, not only babies but also young children are vaccinated against
whooping cough. In young babies who have not yet been vaccinated, the disease can be very serious, sometimes even
resulting in death. All pregnant women in the Netherlands will receive a
whooping cough vaccination offered. By vaccinating pregnant women, young babies are
protected right from birth.
What is tetanus (jaw clenching or wound cramping)?
Tetanus is a disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani found in soil and
street dirt occurs. Tetanus can be contracted when street dirt, soil, manure or dust gets into a
injury, or from an animal bite. People cannot infect each other.
Where does tetanus occur?
Tetanus occurs all over the world, including in the Netherlands.
What are the symptoms of tetanus?
If the tetanus bacterium gets into a wound, it can start secreting toxins, causing in
severe muscle cramps can occur throughout the body. The muscle cramps can cause
swallowing difficulties and breathing problems occur. A person may cramp up completely, causing
warping the body like a hoop. As complications, bone fractures and
heart problems develop. Without proper treatment, the disease is fatal.
How can you prevent tetanus?
Most people born after 1950 in the Netherlands or any other western country are like
child vaccinated with the D(K)TP (Diphtheria (Whooping cough) Tetanus Polio) vaccine. The vaccine provides
after a full series 10 years of protection. If the previous vaccination was given more than 10 years ago
has been given, one or more additional tetanus shots are given after an injury (including in the Netherlands)
given.
What is polio (myelitis) or infantile paralysis?
Poliomyelitis is a disease caused by the poliovirus. There are 3 types of the
poliovirus. In an infected person, the virus is found in the throat and intestines. The virus is transmitted from
human to human transmitted through faeces or droplets when coughing or talking. The virus
In addition, it can survive well outside the body. The poliovirus can therefore survive under
unsanitary conditions can also be transmitted through food or drinking water. The
infection can lead to paralysis.
What are the symptoms of polio (myelitis) or infantile paralysis?
Usually the infection progresses without symptoms. There may be flu-like symptoms
and sometimes (temporary) paralysis symptoms occur. 1 in 200 infections leads to permanent
paralysis symptoms. Usually it is paralysis of the legs, but it can also be
occur at the respiratory muscles.
Where does poliomyelitis occur?
In 1988, the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched a programme with the aim of
to eradicate polio. Before then, the disease was prevalent in 125 different countries. The number of
cases dropped from 350000 to 416 worldwide. In 2014, however, the virus resumed
spread to several countries. As a result, WHO has changed vaccination policies for certain
countries temporarily adjusted.
How can you prevent polio?
Most people born after 1950 in the Netherlands or any other western country are like
child vaccinated with the D(K)TP (Diphtheria (Whooping cough) Tetanus Polio) vaccine. If one goes
travel and the last DTP vaccination was given 10 years or more ago, then a
repeat shot against DTP are given.
See also www.lcr.nl
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