B2B with a Twist Publication - Work • Stay • Play October Edition Work Stay Play Autumn 2018 Edition | Page 12

Chickenpox is one that most of us have heard of
however, in a couple of generations, hopefully It will be one
that is less known because it isn’t common place any more.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral disease. The main
symptoms are an extremely itchy, blistery rash. However,
if a pregnant woman gets chickenpox it can cause them to
become seriously ill with pneumonia, hepatitis and encephalitis,
in addition if it is in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy it can cause
abnormalities. Chickenpox can also be deadly in rare cases and
is more sever in adults or those with impaired immunity.
Diphtheria is a bacterial disease whose side effects
cause inflammation of the nose, throat and windpipe. This can
lead to suffocation. Diphtheria is extremely rare in Australia
and most developed countries however, vaccinations continue
due to possible exposure from people visiting or us traveling to
other countries.
Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral infection that
can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications,
including pneumonia and bronchitis. It is estimated that the flu
contributes to over 3,000 deaths in Australia each year. Those
that are in the higher risk category are pregnant women; people
aged over 65; children younger than 5; people with chronic
medical conditions. Whilst the vaccine is not 100% effective
it does provide a high level of protection and can reduce
symptoms in those that still get sick.
Hepatitis
B is a viral infection that can lead to serious
illness or death. This virus is found in blood and sometimes in
body fluids. You can get Hepatitis B by having unsafe sex, sharing
unsterile needles, engaging in other activities where blood or
body fluids of an infected person enters the bloodstream of
an uninfected person. The virus may also be passed from a
pregnant mother to her baby. Most adults who have Hepatitis B
recover completely, however children with Hepatitis B are more
likely to develop liver disease or cancer later in life.
Haemophilus influenzae type b
(Hib) is a bacterium that causes a life-threatening
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infection that can lead to serious illness, especially in children.
Conditions such as meningitis (inflammation of membranes
covering the brain); epiglottitis (inflammation of the flap and
top of the windpipe); and pneumonia can develop very quickly
and may require urgent medical attention. This disease is
spread through coughing or sneezing. Before the introduction
of the Hib immunisation Hib was a common cause of life-
threatening infection in children under 5.
Measles is a contagious viral illness that causes a skin
rash and fever. Worldwide, measles is the fifth highest cause
of illness and death in children. Measles is now rare in Australia
because of the widespread use of the vaccine.
Meningococcal
is a bacterium - About 10%
of the population carry the bacteria in their throat without
becoming unwell. This infection can develop very quickly and
can result in, limb deformity; deafness; vision problems; stiffness
in joints; permanent brain damage; loss of limbs or death in
extreme cases. There are different strains including A, B, C W
and Y. The C strain is the only one covered by the children’s
vaccinations. People most at risk include adolescents aged 15
to 19 years; people in close contact with those with the disease;
people traveling to high exposure countries; people that have
high-risk conditions such as poor functioning or no spleen, HIV.
Mumps is a highly contagious disease that causes fever
and inflammation of the face. Mumps is a serious disease
because it can lead to inflammation of the brain; inflammation
the lining of the brain and spinal cord; inflammation of heart;
and can also cause infertility. In pregnant women, mumps can
cause miscarriage during the three months of pregnancy. The
vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect against mumps.
Pneumococcal disease
is a potentially
deadly bacterial infection. It mainly affects young children,
older people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and
those with a weakened immune system. This disease can affect
the lungs, ears, sinuses and brain. It is serious as it can lead to
pneumonia; swelling and infection of the brain (meningitis);
infection of the blood (septicaemia); coma and death.
Spreading occurs from secretions from the nose and the throat
(i.e., coughing, sneezing, kissing, etc). The most effective way to
protect against pneumococcal disease is to vaccinate.
Polio
is a serious viral disease that can lead to long-term
disability; paralysis; and death. Australia has been officially
polio-free since 2000. Symptoms usually start about 3-35
days after catching polio and most people make a complete
recovery, but some people develop life-long disability. Damage
to some muscles can mean you can’t breathe or swallow
properly anymore. Damage to nerves may cause other long-
term effects, including: losing strength; running out of energy;
breathing; swallowing or speaking difficulties; pain in muscles
and joints.
Rotavirus is a very contagious virus that can cause severe
diarrhoea and vomiting. It is serious as it can lead to dehydration;
shock; and sometimes death. Before the rotavirus vaccine was
introduced in Australia around 10,000 children under 5 went
to hospital and around 15,000 visited their doctor because of
the rotavirus every year, and at least one child died because of
the rotavirus every year. Since the vaccine was introduced, the
number of children who go to hospital because of the rotavirus
has dropped by more than 70%.
Rubella is also known as German measles.
Rubella is a
contagious viral illness that is generally mild, causing a fever, rash
and swollen lymph glands. However, if contracted by a pregnant
woman in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, the disease can cause
life-long problems for their babies. The baby can be born with
deafness; blindness; heart problems; brain damage; growth
problems; swelling in their brain; liver or lungs. About 9 in every
10 babies whose mothers get rubella in the first 10 weeks of
pregnancy will have one or more of these problems. Symptoms
of rubella include rash, swollen lymph glands, joint pain, mild
fever, headache, runny nose and sore red eyes; however, the
systems usually don’t start until 14-21 days after catching rubella.
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect against rubella.