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Get vaccinated it is a commitment, a good preventive practice and an important resource for dealing with some severe infectious diseases: it is even more so in adulthood, over the age of 65 and in case of chronic diseases, such as diabetes or risk factors, such as hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. For this it is important to know the National Vaccine Prevention Plan (PNPV).
What is the National Vaccine Prevention Plan
The so-called PNPV it is a document that defines the primary objectives of the National Health System with a view to prevention. Free and free vaccination it is the first and most effective tool to prevent viral and bacterial infectious diseases. The Plan has a two-year duration. In fact, the new document, awaiting finalization, shares the objectives of the previous one PNPV 2017-2019 that is to say:
- Ensure proper communication
- Maintain the polio-free state
- Increase vaccination coverage, especially in those most at risk
- Make vaccination an instrument of both individual and collective protection, regardless of place of residence, social, economic and cultural status.
Seasonal vaccination: flu
L’influence it is an infectious disease of the airways that we deal with every winter. The flu virus changes quickly and this causes the need to get vaccinated every year against the new flu virus. Why the flu vaccination it’s important? Because the flu – especially in the elderly and at risk individuals – can lead to hospitalizations and severe respiratory complications.
Pneumococcal vaccination
The pneumococci are bacteria capable of triggering diseases such as meningitis, sepsis, ear infections and pneumonia in children, adults over 65 and at risk.
The pneumonia, particularly in the winter season, they can lead to severe respiratory complications, high fever, hospitalization and death. There pneumococcal vaccination he’s able to reduce the incidence of pneumococcal pneumonia, reduce the risk of contracting the disease, its complications and therefore also hospitalization.
Vaccination against herpes zoster
Commonly known as fire of saint Anthony, it is a disease caused by the Herpes Zoster varicella virus which reactivates after a state of quiescence. L’Shingles it’s a painful disease, which causes vesicular rashes especially in the chest and trunk and which can also last for 6 months – 1 year with serious side effects (ischemia associated with inflammation).
L’incidence is related to age: ranging from 2-3 cases per 1,000 people per year in the population aged 20 to 50, up to 6-7 per 1,000 people per year in the 70-80 age group. Epidemiological studies say that 25% of subjects will experience an episode of fire of saint Anthony during his life.
As the risk of getting this disease, as well as its severity, increases with age, the vaccination is the tool of choice for avoid it and prevent it.
The recalls: whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria
There whooping cough it is a very contagious disease caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium. It is a mainly childhood pathology, usually treated with an antibiotic. However, if you contract it, you are not guaranteed permanent immunity. Vaccination has made whooping cough a rare disease. There are cases in unvaccinated children and in the population in which there has been no recall.
THE typical symptoms I’m persistent cough, fever, nasal discharge up to difficulty in breathing, apnea, vomiting. Complications leading to death are due to other bacterial infections: ear infections, pneumonia, bronchitis and encephalitis.
The tetanus it is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, present in two forms: spore And vegetative. While the former is “harmless”, it is found in the intestines of animals and humans, and is eliminated in the faeces; the vegetative form produces a very powerful neurotoxic toxin.
Such vegetative form it can occur when the bacterium enters the body through wounds. At this point the toxin through the blood reaches the central nervous system where it acts by provoking spasms and involuntary contractions. Among the symptoms we also have fever and tachycardia. It is not a contagious disease.
There diphtheria is a disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The toxic action of the bacterium also occurs here through the release of a toxin which can destroy organs and tissues: nose, throat, tonsils. It can also affect adults and that is why the vaccination booster. The symptoms with which it presents are sore throat, loss of appetite and light fever. They can arise complications a heart level such as: arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, myocarditis.
There vaccination against tetanus, pertussis and diphtheria requires – to ensure adequate protection also in adults – a recall recommended every ten years.
How and where to find out about vaccinations
It is always advisable to use the official sources of the Ministry of Health or the Higher Institute of Health as well as the municipal sites dedicated to vaccinations and those of their reference Ausl.
Your own doctor is the first and most important channel of information to understand which vaccinations to practice.
For more information, consult your doctor.
Visit the website: https://www.laprevenzionenonhaeta.it/ to protect the health of your loved ones and help them on the topic of prevention.
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