GREENSBORO, NC -- The 2WTK germ spread test Wednesday had us thinking about vaccines.
State law mandates all sixth graders have a t-dap booster shot. If not.. they'll get sent home.
We wanted to take a closer look at what the vaccine does and why it is so important.The CDC calls the t-dap a three-in-one vaccine. It protects against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis.
Diphtheria -- can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and death.
Tetanus or lockjaw -- can lead to tightening of muscles in the head and neck so you can't open your mouth, swallow or sometimes even breathe. Tetanus kills about one out of five people who are infected.
Pertussis or Whooping cough-- can lead to weight loss, incontinence, and rib fractures. Up to two in 100 adolescents and five in 100 adults with pertussis are hospitalized or have complications.Those complications could include pneumonia or death.
These diseases are caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing which is why you don't want it in schools.
Tetanus enters the body through cuts, scratches, or wounds.
Before vaccines, the United States saw as many as 200-thousand cases a year of diphtheria and pertussis, and hundreds of cases of tetanus. After vaccinations, Tetanus and Diphtheria have dropped by about 99% and Pertussis by about 80%.
