Tag: internal medicine

Tetanus, Diphtheria aand Pertussis Vaccine – Tdap

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These three diseases are caused by bacteria.  Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person and tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound.  Tetanus (lockjaw) causes painful muscle spasms, and can lead to death if not treated.  Diphtheria causes a thick covering in the back of the throat, untreated it can lead to heart failure or paralysis.  Pertussis (whooping cough) causes severe coughing and vomiting.  Pertussis that is not treated may lead to pneumonia.

The Tdap was licensed in 2005.  It is the first vaccine for adolescents and adults that protects against all three diseases.  It can be used as a catch-up vaccine for individuals who did not receive all their doses when they were children, as a booster dose every 10 years, and for protection against tetanus infection after a wound.  Mild reactions after the vaccine can include pain or redness at the injection site, nausea, headache or low-grade fever.

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician located in Tampa, Florida offers this vaccine to her patients.  Self-pay pricing is competitive with the national pharmacy chains.  However, insurance and Medicare will often cover all or a portion of the vaccine cost.  Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.

Pneumonia (Pneumococcal Polysaccharide) Vaccine

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Pneumococcal disease is caused by a type of bacteria.  Untreated, pneumococcal disease can lead to pneumonia, meningitis and blood infections (bacteremia).  Individuals at greater risk for developing pneumococcal disease include the very young, people over age 65, smokers and people with weakened immune systems or certain health problems including:  heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes.

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria. Usually only one dose of PPSV is needed.  However, a second dose is recommended for people 65 and older who received their first dose prior to age 65, and for individuals who are younger than 65 but have weakened immune systems.  If necessary, the second dose is repeated 5 years after the first dose.  Mild side effects such as fever, or pain and redness at the injection site may occur after the vaccination.

Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician located in Tampa, Florida provides this vaccine to her patients.  Self – pay pricing is competitive with the national pharmacy chains.  However, insurance or Medicare will often cover all or a portion of the cost.  Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

This post was written by Anne Hermann. Follow Anne Hermann on Google, Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin.