Diphtheria
What is diphtheria?
Diphtheria is caused by bacteria that produce a powerful toxin. This toxin damages tissues around the part of the body where the infection takes place. For example, it can damage the skin or lungs, as well as the heart, nervous system or kidneys. Which symptoms a person gets depends on where the toxins damage the body. The two bacteria that cause most diphtheria infections are Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium Ulcerans.
The time between infection and the first symptoms of illness is usually two to five days and never more than seven days. If the infection is limited to the nose, the disease often progresses mildly. In the case of skin diphtheria, sores develop on the skin. If the infection goes beyond the nose, for example to the throat or lungs, one may become very sick and short of breath. In some cases, the toxins can damage the heart muscle or nervous system. The disease can be fatal but is treatable with drugs.
How do you get diphtheria?
The diphtheria bacterium spreads from person to person through the air by, for example, coughing or sneezing. The bacteria can also spread through direct contact, for example through kissing or open wounds. The bacteria can sometimes also be found in animals. The majority of known diphtheria infections occur in India, but it also occurs in Nepal, Indonesia and Brazil.
Whooping cough
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough is a respiratory infection caused by bacteria. Characteristic of whooping cough are coughing fits that can last up to three to four months. The first symptoms of whooping cough resemble a normal cold and occur between seven and 10 days after infection. These symptoms are followed by coughing fits that can eventually lead to pneumonia. During the coughing fits, tough mucus is often coughed up. Whooping cough can be very dangerous for young babies. Babies are at risk of oxygen deprivation and brain haemorrhage. This can eventually cause brain damage.
How do you get whooping cough?
The whooping cough bacteria spread through coughing. Having experienced whooping cough in the past does not protect against a subsequent infection.
Tetanus
What is tetanus?
Tetanus is caused by toxin-producing bacteria (Clostridium tetani). The tetanus bacteria enter the body through a wound. There are usually three to twenty-one days between infection and the first symptoms, but this can be several months in some cases. Tetanus can cause stiffness around the infected wound and severe muscle cramps. The muscle cramps can lead to breathing problems and cramping. These cramps can get so bad that the body contorts like a hoop. The disease can cause bone fractures and heart problems. If tetanus is not treated properly, it is fatal.
How do you get tetanus?
Infection can occur through an open wound if it comes into contact with, for example, street dirt, manure or soil. This can be direct, for example by a fall on the street, but also indirect, for example by the bite of an animal with street dirt in its mouth. the disease cannot be transmitted from person to person.
Polio
What is polio?
Polio can be caused by three different types of polio viruses. Most people do not notice any infection or experience only flu-like symptoms. On average, the first symptoms start between seven and 14 days after infection. In a small group, the virus enters the spinal cord via the bloodstream, where it can damage nerves. Depending on the location of the damage, this can lead to (permanent) paralysis or death.
How do you get polio?
Poliovirus can spread from person to person. This can be through the mouth (talking or shouting) or through the faeces of an infected person. A person who is infected can contaminate other surfaces or food by not washing their hands properly after going to the toilet.
What can you do to prevent diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and polio?
Since 1962, vaccination against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and polio has been part of the National Vaccination Programme in the Netherlands. Because this vaccination offers five to ten years of protection, it is sometimes wise to take a booster vaccination. Based on your destination and vaccination history, we will be happy to give you personalised advice.
Which vaccine do I need?
Depending on your destination and vaccination history, we at vaccinatiecentrum.nl have several vaccines that protect against one or more of the diseases described above. These vaccines are the DTP vaccination (diphtheria, tetanus and polio), the DKT vaccination (diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus) and the polio vaccination.
What are the possible side effects of a DKTP vaccination?
The DKTP vaccination may cause mild side effects. For example, the injection site may be painful, red or swollen. The leg or arm in which you were injected may also feel stiff. Some people have flu symptoms after the vaccination such as, fever, fatigue, headache, abdominal pain, decreased appetite and nausea.
What protection does the DKTP vaccination offer?
If you were vaccinated against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and polio as a child, only one dose of the above vaccinations is needed. If you were not previously vaccinated against these, the vaccination consists of three doses. In that case, the second shot is given one month after the first and the third shot six months after the first. The vaccines provide ten years of protection, except for whooping cough with the DKT shot. Against whooping cough, protection lasts five years.
How much does a DKTP vaccination cost?
DKTP vaccinations have been offered free of charge to all children in the Netherlands through the National Vaccination Programme since 1962. At a later age, you have to pay for the vaccination yourself. If you have supplementary insurance, a DKTP vaccination is reimbursed by your health insurance in most cases. For more information, please visit our prices page.
Any questions or want to make an appointment?
Haven’t had a DKTP vaccination before? Then keep in mind that there is a total of at least seven months between the three vaccinations. Therefore, make an appointment well in advance if you want to get the vaccination for a trip (whether or not to a high-risk area).
Do you have questions or would you like to make an appointment for a personal (travel)consultation? Use the button below, email us at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl or call 085-9020303.