Medicine Word Today

Vaccination, hepatitis B: Hepatitis B (hep B) vaccine gives prolonged protection, but 3 shots over a half year are usually required. All infants in the U.S. receive hep B vaccine. Two vaccines (Engerix-B, and Recombivax-HB) are available in the U...

Vaccination, yellow fever: A live attenuated (weakened) viral vaccine that is recommended for people traveling to or living in tropical areas in the Americas and Africa where yellow fever occurs. Because it is a live vaccine, it should not be given to infants or people with immune-system problems. Yellow fever is an acute systemic (bodywide) illness caused by a virus called a Flavivirus. In severe cases, the viral infection causes a high fever, bleeding into the skin, and necrosis (death) of cells in the kidney and liver. The damage done to the liver from the virus results in severe jaundice which yellows the skin (provides the "yellow" in "yellow fever"). The virus of yellow fever is transmitted in most cases by a bite of the A

Vaccination, varicella: See Chickenpox immunization.

Vaccination, rubella: See Immunization, MMR.

Vaccination, HIB: This immunization is designed to prevent diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB), a bacteria responsible for a range of serious "invasive" diseases including meningitis with potential brain damage and epiglotti...

Vaccination, DPT: See: DPT immunization.

Vaccination, Td: Td is the vaccine given to children over six and adults as boosters for immunity to diphtheria and tetanus.

Vaccination, H. flu: This immunization is designed to prevent disease due to Haemophilus influenzae (H. flu), specifically Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB). The HIB bacteria is responsible for a range of serious "invasive" diseases includi...