Immunizations Flashcards
What makes up the immune system?
Skin, Lymphatic System, Spleen, Mucous membranes
Skin is the first line of defense
How long can people with primary immunodeficiencies expect to live?
Till adulthood, in the past many would die early
Does the Immune system have memory?
The immune system has memory and specificity. It remembers specific microorganisms and how to defend against them.
How common are communicable diseases like measles, chicken pox, polio, and mumps?
Communicable diseases are on the decline but there are still outbreaks of them because some people don’t immunize their children.
Why can there be a difference in the immunization records of individuals?
People that have immigrated to the US may not have received the same immunizations as those in the US.
What may become mandatory soon in schools and what is important to assess?
May become mandatory to have vaccinations to attend public school
How long the person has been exposed (incubation period)
Prodromal symptoms= lighter symptoms before the full onset of the disease
Koplik spots (white spots) in the mucous membranes is a prodromal symptom of Measles
Pertussis and Tetanus are big vaccines to have
How do you prevent infections?
1 is Vaccines
#2 is Good, Frequent Hand Hygiene
Reducing the risk of transmission by staying home from work and school when you are sick.
Put people in isolation rooms even if the diagnosis of an infectious disease hasn’t happened
How do you prevent complications?
Certain groups of children are at increased risk of developing complications
- Persistent steroid use for asthma
- Generalized malignancies
- Those with an immunologic disorder
- Infants younger than 1 year old
- Children with Hemolytic disease
What two categories of systems make up the immune system?
Natural immunity is a non-specific defense= WBC, histamines, prostaglandin, inflammatory response, skin, mucous membranes
Acquired immunity is a specific defense
-Active
-Passive
What is active immunity that is a part of Acquired immunity?
Introduce antigen into body, allowing immunity to develop
- Vaccines
- Exposure to pathogen
What is passive immunity that is a part of Acquired immunity?
Injection of antibodies produced by another host
- Immunoglobulins
- Mother to Infant
What are some variables that effect Immune function?
Age= <1 immune not mature enough
Gender
Nutrition
Emotional(Attitude-mind over matter)/Physical Comorbidities; Surgeries/ Trauma
Allergies
History of Infection and Immunizations
Medications (immunocompromised, steroids, etc.)
Psychoneuroimmunologic factors (mind over matter)
What are the different responses to vaccines?
- Local reactions=pain, swelling, may have a large red mark that is a sign the immune system is preparing to fight it
- Systemic Reactions=fever, etc. shows that vaccine is working
- Local allergic reaction=itching
- Life-threatening allergic reaction= anaphylaxis-throat closes up
What is an immunization schedule?
A schedule for when children should receive vaccines
It is updated every year
MMR/Tetanus are needed before school
Adults may need boosters
Assess immunization status at every visit
What are contraindications to Immunizations?
If you have a fever or illness=person is already sick
Hypersensitivity reaction
Recent immunoglobulin therapy
Cancer treatments
Pregnancy=Give Rubella after they have delivered the baby
