15 Diseases You Have Forgotten Due to Vaccines

Vaccines, as a vital medical breakthrough, have largely conquered several fatal diseases, transforming them from health threats to history notes.

Smallpox

Smallpox, a highly contagious and often fatal disease, was the first disease eradicated globally through vaccination. Edward Jenner's 1796 smallpox vaccine saved millions of lives.

Polio

Polio, a damaging, potentially deadly virus primarily affecting under-5s, led to frequent outbreaks, paralysis, and death before the 19th-century vaccine.

Rubella

Rubella, German measles, can cause severe disabilities in pregnant women. Widespread outbreaks and congenital rubella syndrome were common before the vaccine introduction.

Tetanus

Tetanus, a potentially fatal bacterial infection impacting the nervous system, enters the body via wounds and can cause muscle spasms and breathing issues. Vaccination has reduced its incidence.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B, a severe liver infection, can lead to chronic illness, liver failure or cancer. Global prevalence has reduced thanks to the hepatitis B vaccine.

Measles

Measles can lead to severe complications, causing harm that requires caution and prevention. It caused millions of deaths until the 1960s measles vaccine introduction.

Mumps

Mumps mainly affects kids and could cause complications like meningitis and deafness. The mumps vaccine has significantly reduced this disease's occurrence.

Diphtheria

Diphtheria, a severe bacterial infection causing respiratory problems and heart failure, is now almost non-existent in developed countries thanks to 19th-century vaccination.

Whooping Cough

Whooping cough or Pertussis is a severe, contagious respiratory infection, especially risky for infants. The whooping cough vaccine has notably reduced its prevalence.

Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib)

Hib is a bacterial infection causing severe illness in children like meningitis, pneumonia, and sepsis. The Hib vaccine has made this disease rare in many countries.

Rotavirus

Rotavirus causes severe diarrhea in infants & young children. The 2006-introduced vaccine was key to reducing many fatalities from this virus.

Pneumococcal Disease

Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria cause pneumococcal disease, leading to ear/sinus infections, pneumonia, meningitis, particularly in children. It can invade germ-free areas like brain/spinal cord.

Chicken Pox

Chickenpox spreads quickly through direct contact or air. The vaccine prevents the disease and complications like skin infections, pneumonia, and encephalitis.

Influenza

Influenza, or flu, mainly targets the respiratory system with mild to severe effects. The best prevention is the flu vaccine.

Meningococcal Disease

Meningitis affects the brain and spinal cord lining. Luckily, the meningococcal vaccine protects against various strains, preventing brain damage, amputations, or loss of life.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A, a liver infection causing flu-like symptoms, can be severe. Its vaccine has significantly reduced disease occurrence, especially in poor sanitation nations.

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