Immunisations Flashcards
What is a vaccine?
Substance that stimulates the production of antibodies and provides active immunity
What is active immunity?
Protection produced by individuals own immune system
How is active immunity acquired?
Infection
Vaccination
What is passive immunity?
Protection provided by transfer of antibodies from immune individuals
What are the main types of vaccine?
Live attenuated
Inactivated
Which vaccinations are live attenuated?
Rotavirus
MMR
Nasal flu
Which vaccines are inactivated?
Diptheria Tetanus Meningitis Polio Pertussis Pneumococcus
What organism causes diptheria?
Corynebacterium diptheria
What type of organism is Corynebacterium diptheria?
Toxin producing gram positive cocci
How is diptheria spread?
Respiratory droplet
What is the incubation period of diptheria?
3-5 days
What happens in diptheria?
Toxin kills cells which form a pseudomembrane
Swelling of tissues in neck = bulls neck
What organism causes tetanus?
Clositridium tetani
What type of organism is clostridium tetani?
Gram positive bacillus
How is tetanus spread?
Spores which enter open wounds
What happens in tetanus?
Blocks inhibitory neurotransmitters = widespread motor neurone activation
Widespread muscle spasms
What organism causes whooping cough?
Bordatella pertussis
What type of organism is bordatella pertussis?
Gram positive coccobacillus
How is whooping cough spread?
Droplet spread
What is the incubation period of whooping cough?
7-10 days
What happens in whooping cough?
Stage 1 = catarrhal phase
- 1-2 weeks
- flu symptoms
Stage 2 = paroxysmal phase
- up to 10 weeks
- intense coughing periods - followed by whoop
Stage 3 = convalescent phase
- cough that lasts for weeks