Immunization Schedule, Adults Topic Guide

Chickenpox (varicella) is a highly contagious infection that typically affects children. Symptoms and signs include an itchy red blistering rash that forms first on the torso and then spreads to the extremities. Treatment may incorporate Tylenol or Advil for fever, IV fluids for dehydration, antibiotics for bacterial skin infections, calamine lotion, cool compresses and baths, and Benadryl, Claritin, or Zyrtec for itch relief.

A cough is a symptom of an underlying disease or condition. A chronic or persistent cough may signal certain lung conditions that should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Common causes of coughs include infection, allergies, lung disease, medications, and GERD (reflux). Acute coughs are categorized as infectious or non-infectious. Chronic cough (persistent cough) have a variety of causes and should be evaluated by physician. Treatment of cough, acute cough, chronic or persistent cough depends on the cause of the cough.

Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Symptoms include sore throat, headache, cough, and fever. Treatment usually involves the administration of antibiotics and the diphtheria antitoxin.

Flu (influenza) is an acute infection of the nose and throat airways. This infection may spread to the lungs. Flu is the most frequent cause of acute respiratory infection in people of all ages. Symptoms of the flu include fever, severe aches and pains, headache, dry cough, sore throat, and at times vomiting and nausea. Treatment for the flu includes home remedies such as OTC pain relievers, rest, and hydration. Medical treatment for the flu includes antiviral medications.

Flu vaccines may be composed of weakened live flu viruses or killed viruses that protect a person from developing influenza once administered. Reactions to the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu nasal-spray vaccines and shots include headache, nasal congestion, low-grade fever, sore throat, and muscle cramps.

Genital warts (HPV) are growths in the genital area of both men and women. Genital warts are contagious and are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Symptoms of genital warts may be none, to painless bumps, itching, and/or a discharge. There is no single effective cure for genital warts. Treatments and medication may decrease the size of the warts or temporarily remove them.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV, Hep A) refers to liver inflammation caused by infection with the hepatitis A virus. Causes of HAV is generally from person to person via contaminated water, blood, stool, or direct contact. Symptoms of hepatitis A virus include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, rash, fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, and pale or gray-colored stools. Treatment for hepatitis A virus is focused on relieving symptoms. There is a vaccine to prevent hepatitis A virus.

Hepatitis is a general term that means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B is caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV, Hep B). Hepatitis B is transmitted from one person to another person via blood in semen, saliva, vaginal discharge, etc. Symptoms of hepatitis B include loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, itching, jaundice, and abdomen pain.

Most immunizations are not required under International Health Requirements but are recommended. Anyone lacking certain region- or country-specific immunizations may be denied entry into or exit from a country.

Measles, also known as rubeola, is a viral respiratory infection. Measles and German Measles (a different but similar virus also known as rubella) are serious infections that cause fever and rash. Most recover without incident, but measles infections can lead to pneumonia and brain inflammation. Vaccines have reduced measles infections to a few dozen a year in the U.S., but no cure exists. Patients should treat symptoms with pain relievers, fever reducers, and fluids.

Meningitis is an infection of the layers around the spinal cord called meninges. This potentially life-threatening condition can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungus, or reactions to medications or environmental toxins.

Mumps is a disease, usually of children, caused by a virus. The hallmark symptoms of mumps is swelling of the salivary glands. Symptoms and signs include: fever, headache, gland swelling, testicular pain, abdominal pain, seizure, difficulty swallowing, and orchitis (testicle inflammation). Mumps treatment focuses on relieving symptoms.

Pneumonia is inflammation of one or both lungs with consolidation. Pneumonia is frequently but not always caused by infection. The infection may be bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic. Symptoms may include fever, chills, cough with sputum production, chest pain, and shortness of breath. The pandemic COVID-19 coronavirus causes viral pneumonia in a percentage of people who contract the virus.

Rabies is a disease humans may get from being bitten by an animal infected with the rabies virus. Rabies has been recognized for over 4,000 years. Symptoms and signs include fever, chills, pain, itching, muscle spasms, seizures, and coma. Treatment depends upon the species of animal, its behavior, and where you were exposed to the animal.

Tetanus is an infectious disease caused by contamination of wounds from the bacteria Clostridium tetani, or the spores they produce that live in the soil, and animal feces. Symptoms and signs include: muscle cramps, lockjaw, weakness, and difficulty swallowing. Tetanus treatment incorporates antibiotics, wound cleansing, pain medicine, sedatives to control muscle spasms, and IV fluids.

Whooping cough (pertussis) is an infectious vaccine-preventable disease marked by spasms of coughing punctuated by a characteristic "whoop" sound. Treatment involves isolating the infected individual until he or she has received five days of antibiotics, including azithromycin, clarithromycin, or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Patients can use a cool-mist humidifier, and monitoring for dehydration.