DTP vaccine course for adults.

[Rajan_470]

I did not receive the DPT/DTP (Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio) vaccination as a child and am traveling to India soon so will need to get the vaccine. I have looked for the regime of vaccinations for DTP in adults but have found only those relating to children's vaccinations.

What is the adult course of immunization?
How necesary is this vaccine when travelling to India?
Is there any risk related to having the vaccination a couple of days before I leave for India?

Any help will be MASSIVELY appreciated!

Thank you.

[HannahMonica]

Contrary to the above statements, adults are routinely vaccinated against Pertussis in addition to Diptheria and tetanus, as adults are often the caregivers of young children susceptible to this disease...the only difference is adults revcieve "Tdap" not "DTaP". I am not sure about the specific requirement for getting this shot when traveling to India, but I would recommend vaccinating against these diseases regardless! Consider the follorwing:

TETANUS (Lockjaw) causes painful muscle spasms, usually all over the body.
•It can lead to tightening of the jaw muscles so the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow. Tetanus kills about 1 out of 5 people who are infected.

DIPHTHERIA causes a thick covering in the back of the throat.
•It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and even death.

PERTUSSIS (Whooping Cough) causes severe coughing spells, vomiting, and disturbed sleep.
•It can lead to weight loss, incontinence, rib fractures and passing out from violent coughing. Up to 2 in 100 adolescents and 5 in 100 adults with pertussis are hospitalized
or have complications, including pneumonia.

These three diseases are all caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts, scratches, or wounds.

I do not know your age so I will briefly discuss the typical vaccination schedule for adults 19+ below:

Tdap should replace a single dose of Td for adults aged 19 through 64 years who have not received a dose of Tdap previously.

Adults with uncertain or incomplete history of primary vaccination series with tetanus and diphtheria toxoid–containing vaccines should begin or complete a primary vaccination series. A primary series for adults is 3 doses of tetanus and diphtheria toxoid–containing vaccines; administer the first 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart and the third dose 6–12 months after the second. However, Tdap can substitute for any one of the doses of Td in the 3-dose primary series. The booster dose of tetanus and diphtheria toxoid–containing vaccine should be administered to adults who have completed a primary series and if the last vaccination was received 10 or more years previously. Tdap or Td vaccine may be used, as indicated. Booster doses are indicated very 10 years after completion of the initial series.

[trustthishippie]

im no medical expert but i have an instance for you- my dear friend was in the military -an army sniper over in afganastan the ghan- in the military adults go through numerous vaccinations everything but the kitchen sink - well he was vaccinated for malaria within these vaccinations that were manditory to all who enlist and sure enough he goes over seas after being vaccinated and ends up coming home with malaria true story- i can honestly say your best bet isn't a DPT shot but good hygeine bug spray and lots of hand sanatiser stock up on hand sanatiser like it was bottled water not only do you not have to be poked with it but it dosn't contain mercury-a nastey little chemical that will weaken your bodies natural defences not strenghthen them-if you look back at the first kid with small pox who was vaccinated with cow pox by a guy who wanted to make a name for himself in history's medical journals you can see the obvious-the kid already had the immunity cow pox dosn't cure small pox like saying -bird flu dosen't cure swine flue or sars -diseases change vaccines no mater how some one messed with em in a lab are still not ever going to catch up with natural selection and variables through out each individual- if you don't beleive me more power to you i hope you can find your shot and i hope it dosen't hurt-and some food for thought-a documentry by some auzies called VACCINATION THE HIDDEN TRUTH it dry but really informative and good to know:)

[Vaxpro1]

DTP stands for Diptheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (not Polio). Once you are an adult, you would not get the DTP or DTaP since it is reccomended only for children up to age 7. If you have never had any Tetanus vaccinations, you would want to ask your doctor about starting a series of Td shots to get the basic immunity. After that, you would get one every ten years. If you have not had the Polio vaccine, you would also want to ask your doctor about receiving the needed number of vaccinations for proper Polio immunity (usually 4-5 vaccinations).