Full Form of DPT, Vaccine, Causes, and Symptoms

The full form of DPT is Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus.

These three are highly contagious bacterial infections and can have serious complications, including death in some cases. DTP Vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the spread of these illnesses. Therefore, parents need to ensure their children receive the recommended doses of DPT vaccines at the appropriate ages to protect them from these potentially life-threatening diseases.

Causes & Symptoms of DTP

Diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough), and Tetanus (DPT) are three distinct infectious diseases that can cause serious illness and even death, particularly in young children. Further, these illnesses can affect any part of the body and are caused by various bacteria. Let us discuss the causes of all three.

Diphtheria:

Corynebacterium diphtheriae causes diphtheria, which spreads through close contact with an infected person's respiratory secretions. 

Its symptoms are:

• Fever
• Difficulty swallowing or speaking
• Patches on the tonsils or throat
• Swollen glands in the neck
• Hoarseness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness 

Pertussis:

Bordetella pertussis causes pertussis or whooping cough, which is transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. 

Its symptoms are:

• A runny nose
• Mild fever and cough
• High-pitched "whooping" sound when breathing in after a coughing spell
• Vomiting

Tetanus:

Clostridium tetani causes tetanus, which enters the body through cuts, wounds, or skin breaks and is usually transmitted through contaminated tetanus spores.

Its symptoms may include:

• Stiffness in the neck and jaw muscles
• Muscle spasms
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fever
• Sweating
• High BP and heart rate

To prevent these diseases, one should practice good hygiene by frequently washing hands and covering their mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing. Additionally, receiving the DPT vaccine according to the proper schedule is recommended to obtain protection against these diseases.

About the DTP Vaccine

The DTP vaccine, which stands for diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis, was first licensed in the United States in 1949. The vaccine can protect against three infectious diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.

The original DTP vaccine consisted of three separate shots given over several months, followed by booster doses every ten years. Since then, the vaccine has undergone several modifications to make it safer and more effective.

Today, the standard vaccine version is known as DTaP, which stands for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and acellular Pertussis. This version of the vaccine uses a purified form of the pertussis toxin that is less likely to cause side effects.

Due to widespread immunisation campaigns, the incidence of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis has declined significantly in many parts of the world. However, there are still pockets of the population where these diseases are common, particularly in developing countries with limited access to healthcare and vaccines.

DPT Vaccine Schedule

The DPT vaccine is administered to children according to a recommended schedule consisting of a total of five doses. The first three doses are given at the age of 6 weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks, respectively, with a 4-week interval between each dose. A booster dose of the DPT vaccine is then given at the age of 16-18 months, followed by another booster shot at the age of 5-6 years, which contains only the DT (diphtheria and tetanus) component of the vaccine.

According to experts, the three doses only provide 80% protection against Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus. Therefore, even after a child receives the first three doses of the vaccine, a booster dose can further ensure maximum protection against DPT.

It is also worth noting that pertussis infection becomes less severe with age. Therefore, the pertussis vaccine is not necessary after the age of 6 years. In the case of missed vaccination or children above the age of 5 years, two doses of the DT vaccine are given at an interval of four weeks, followed by a booster shot six months to 1 year later.

Additionally, medical experts recommend the preparation of DT, an adult form of the diphtheria-tetanus vaccine, for kids over 12 years of age. Following the recommended vaccination schedule is important to ensure maximum protection and safety against DPT.

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