Vaccines assist in the prevention of diseases, but there are a lot of misinformation about them that keep people from getting immunized. Get the facts and make sure you research vaccines and talk to your primary care provider so that you can make the best decision for you and your family. Find internal medicine near Sycamore & Elgin, IL.
What’s the purpose of a vaccine?
Vaccines decrease the risks of getting a disease by building up your bodies natural defence systems.
How do vaccines work?
All vaccines are different and have different objectives. A vaccination contains antigens, the disease-fighting component, and adjuvants to boost the immune response. This concoction works with your body to create antibodies that build up to help prevent disease. By getting a vaccine you develop immunity to that disease without ever getting the disease.
What are the benefits of vaccines?
The main benefit that you get from a vaccine is you are protecting yourself from getting sick. Vaccines also help protect those around us who cannot get vaccinated such as newborns, those undergoing cancer treatments or who have a weakened immune system or have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous vaccine dose.
Are there any risks or side effects to getting vaccinated?
Most vaccines come with very little risks and most have very mild side effects, if any. Common side effects include low grade fever (a sign of your immune system working to build up antibodies) and soreness at the injection site. Rarely, an individual might have an allergic reaction to a vaccine. These allergic reactions are treatable and very rare. If you have had allergic reactions in the past be sure to disclose that to your doctor.
Stay Protected With the Right Vaccines
Request an appointment with Advanced Internal Medicine to review your vaccines and get up to date.
What are the risks of not getting vaccinated?
The risks of not getting vaccinated is that you do not have protection against a disease that can cause great harm. All vaccine preventable diseases still circulate in the United States and in other places around the world and can cause outbreaks in communities, affecting those who do not have immunity to that disease. If you chose not to vaccinate yourself or your family, it is important to have a conversation with your primary care provider about what steps to take if there is an outbreak and what to watch for.
Can a vaccine give someone the disease it’s supposed to prevent?
No. Vaccines cannot give someone the disease they are used to prevent. Vaccines contain the same viruses that cause the disease, but they are inactivated or weakened.
Conclusion
In conclusion, vaccines play a vital role in protecting individuals and communities from a wide range of infectious diseases. By preventing the spread of illnesses like measles, polio, and influenza, vaccines contribute to public health and well-being. Consult with your healthcare provider to create a personalized vaccination schedule. For more information on preventive healthcare and conditions like arthritis, visit our Arthritis Treatment page.
Medically Reviewed By
At Advanced Internal Medicine of Northern Illinois, Dr. Ashima Salwan, MD, treats adult and geriatric patients, men and women alike, working through some of the most common and most connected health problems out there: obesity,...
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