| Vaccinations Play Vital Role in Protecting You from Diseases
Tri-City Voice, August 28th, 2007
The Best Protection is Still
Prevention
Over the
past several decades, vaccinations have
become a victim of their own success,
according to Dr. Steven Curran, family
practice physician and a lead physician
with Washington Township Medical Group
Inc. (WTMG) at Warm Springs and
Newark.
Vaccinations, which stimulate the immune
system to protect the body from various
diseases, have been so effective over
the past several decades in reducing or
eliminating dangerous and even fatal
diseases that some people incorrectly
assume that vaccinations are no longer a
necessity, Dr. Curran points out.
This
couldn’t be further from the truth. In
fact, vaccines continue to act as a
frontline of defense against a number of
diseases, which is part of the reason
August is recognized each year as
National Immunization Awareness Month.
When a
vaccine is introduced into the body,
typically by injection, it presents the
immune system with a weakened form of a
specific virus or a piece of that virus.
This in turn causes the body to produce
antibodies, which work to fend off the
actual virus in case of exposure.
Dr. Curran
explains that vaccinations are much
different than antibiotics in that they
are meant to stimulate protection, not
treat a disease. Typically antibiotics
are used to kill off or prevent bacteria
from forming, whereas vaccinations are
meant to trigger an immune system
response that prevents a person from
becoming ill due to a viral infection,
which cannot be treated with
antibiotics.
A
healthy childhood begins with prevention
While many different age
groups need vaccinations or "boosters”
to spur immunity, it is particularly
important for infants and children to
receive the proper vaccinations at the
appropriate stages.
"At the
clinics, we do see an influx of parents
bringing their kids in to get ready for
school registration and make sure
they’re immunized against many
diseases,” Dr. Curran notes. "It’s
definitely a good thing to take care of
before school time, especially given
that vaccination recommendations change
over time.”
It’s
important for parents, Dr. Curran says,
to talk to their family physician about
immunization schedules for their
children, as guidelines change often and
new vaccinations are becoming available.
For instance, the meningitis
vaccination, which was previously
recommended for young people going away
to college and those entering military
boot camp, is now recommended for
children ages 11 to 12.
"I think
there’s a misconception that most of
these childhood diseases have been wiped
out, but we still have outbreaks of
things like pertussis (whooping cough),
for instance,” Dr. Curran says.
Vaccinations have changed the face of
medicine
A generation ago, according
to Dr. Curran, the stigma attached to
polio was significant. Today the health
care community is close to eliminating
polio worldwide. But Dr. Curran warns
that as a society, we cannot let our
guard down.
"Vaccinations almost suffer from their
own success they tend to become so
effective that people forget about the
risk,” he says. "To a certain extent
it’s true that we’ve gained ‘herd’
immunity for many diseases. But if a
disease does get introduced, it could
cause tremendous consequences.”
Certain
populations are at higher risk for
serious complications due to particular
viruses, such as the influenza virus.
The CDC and other organizations publish
recommendations for which populations
such as the elderly, young children and
those with chronic diseases or
compromised immune systems should
receive the flu vaccination every year
to be protected.
"I
encourage all eligible people to get a
flu vaccine,” Dr. Curran says. "In
addition to protecting yourself, you’re
helping to protect high risk populations
as well when you get an annual flu
vaccination. Most people who get the flu
recover from it completely, but more
fragile populations still run the risk
of serious complications or death that
could have been easily prevented through
vaccinations.”
Particular
age groups may benefit from different
vaccinations, some of which have only
been developed in recent years. This is
why it’s important to talk to your
doctor about what is available, he says.
Traveling? Get protection
For those who will be
traveling abroad, it’s particularly
important for them to visit a physician
in advance of their trip to discuss
immunization against diseases that may
be prevalent in the regions to which
they will be traveling. A physician can
help identify necessary vaccinations and
medications for diseases such as
hepatitis A, typhoid, yellow fever and
malaria.
Dr. Curran
says it’s ideal to consult with a
physician at least two weeks before
traveling, but it’s always a good idea
to review current CDC guidelines at
www.cdc.gov.
Get
Immunized!
Washington Township Medical
Group offers vaccinations for a wide
range of diseases, including childhood
vaccinations and ones for travelers.
Remember, it is always best to double
check with the clinic in advance to make
sure it has the vaccination in stock.
For
questions or to make an appointment at
Washington Township Medical Group
locations, call:
WTMG @ Warm
Springs………..(510) 651-2371
WTMG @ Newark……………….(510) 797-7535
WTMG @ 1860 Mowry………….(510) 713-8426
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