INFANRIX hexa is a vaccine used to
prevent six diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough),
hepatitis B, poliomyelitis (polio) and Haemophilus influenzae type
b (Hib). The vaccine works by causing the body to produce its own protection
(antibodies) against these diseases.
Diphtheria, tetanus,
pertussis and Hib are all serious life-threatening diseases caused by bacterial
infection. Hepatitis B and poliomyelitis are infectious diseases caused by
viral infection.
Diphtheria
Diphtheria mainly affects the airways and sometimes the
skin. Generally the airways become inflamed (swollen)
causing severe breathing difficulties and sometimes suffocation. The bacteria
also release a toxin (poison), which can cause nerve damage, heart problems,
and death. The risk of serious complications and death is greater in the very
young and elderly.
Tetanus (Lockjaw)
Tetanus bacteria enter the body through wounded skin. Wounds that are
especially prone to infection are burns, fractures, deep wounds or wounds
contaminated with soil, dust, horse manure or wood splinters. The bacteria
release a toxin (poison), which can cause muscle stiffness, painful muscle
spasms, fits and death. The spasms can be strong enough to cause bone fractures
of the spine. The death rate is 10% of cases.
Pertussis (Whooping
cough)
Pertussis is a highly infectious illness. The disease affects the breathing
tract causing severe spells of coughing that may interfere with normal
breathing. The coughing is often accompanied by a ‘whooping’ sound. The cough
may last for 1-2 months or longer. Pertussis can also cause inner ear
infections, long-lasting bronchitis, pneumonia, fits, brain damage and death.
The risk of severe complications and death is greatest in infants under 6
months of age. The death rate is 0.5% for infants under 6 months of age.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus. It causes the liver to be
become swollen (inflamed). The virus is found in body fluids such as blood,
semen, vaginal secretions, or saliva of infected people. The virus can enter
the bloodstream through:
· an infected mother passing the virus onto her
baby during or shortly after birth
· sores, cuts or tiny wounds coming into contact
with infected fluids (eg from a human bite, sharing
razors or toothbrushes, or working with human blood or body fluids)
· injection (eg needlestick injury, or sharing needles for IV drug use)
· sexual intercourse
Some people infected
with hepatitis B may not look or feel sick. But others will get symptoms, which
may not be seen for 6 weeks to 6 months after infection. Sometimes people will
only have mild flu-like symptoms, but other people can become very ill. They
may be extremely tired, and have dark urine, pale faeces, yellowish skin and/or
eyes (jaundice), and other symptoms possibly requiring hospitalisation.
Most adults fully
recover from the disease. However, some people, particularly children, who may
not have had symptoms, can remain infected. They are called hepatitis B virus
carriers. Hepatitis B carriers can infect others throughout their lives.
Babies infected with
hepatitis B at birth almost always become carriers. Often they do not show
symptoms, and seem healthy for many years. However, after 30, 40 or 50 years
they can become sick and develop symptoms. For all chronic hepatitis B carriers
there is a risk of serious liver disease, such as cirrhosis (liver scarring)
and liver cancer.
There is no specific
treatment for hepatitis B.
Poliomyelitis (Polio)
Polio is a viral infection that can have variable effects. Often it causes only
a mild illness but in some people it causes permanent injury or death.
In its severest form, polio
infection causes paralysis of the muscles, including those needed for breathing
and walking. Polio infection can leave a person unable to breathe without the
help of an iron lung machine, unable to walk without leg braces, or confined to
a wheel chair. The limbs affected by the disease may be painfully deformed.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Hib most frequently causes brain inflammation (swelling), which is generally
seen in infants under 18 months of age. The death rate is 5-10% of infants in this
age group. In 15-30% of surviving infants there will be some type of serious
complication such as: mental retardation, cerebral palsy, deafness, epilepsy or
partial blindness. Hib also causes inflammation of the throat, which is mostly
seen in children over 18 months of age. It occasionally causes death by
suffocation. Less commonly, the bacteria can also infect the blood, heart,
lungs, bones, joints, and tissues of the eyes and mouth.
Vaccination is the best
way to protect against these diseases. INFANRIX hexa
vaccine cannot give your child diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B or
polio infection. The vaccine will not protect against diseases caused by other
types of bacteria, viruses or organisms. If a person is already infected with
the hepatitis B virus at the time of vaccination, INFANRIX hexa
may not prevent the disease in these people.