Vaccination Information

Resources
Clinica el Bosque medical transportation

Home

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a relatively common virus that infects the skin and mucous membranes. It is the most common cause of cervical cancer in women and can also cause genital warts in both men and women. There are about 130 strains of the virus that have been identified. Of these, nearly a dozen (including strains 16, 18, 31 and 45) have been recognized as causing cervical cancer. They can also lead to anal cancer, vulvar cancer and penile cancer. HPV is typically transmitted through skin to skin contact and about 30 types through sexual contact. For the above reasons, health officials in countries like the US are taking strong actions to help protect women from the virus and cancer. However there is no cure for the virus, and thus the HPV Vaccination is the best form of protection we have. Scientists started working on developing an HPV vaccination in the mid 1980's. However it was only in 2006 that the FDA licensed the first HPV vaccination marketed under the trademark name of Gardasil. By 2007, Gardasil was approved by at least 80 countries. In 2007, another HPV vaccination called Cervarix filed for approval and was granted approval

Pneumonia vaccination

Pneumonia is one of those diseases that have always struck terror in the hearts of human beings. This is probably because it strikes the respiratory system of the body. Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs in which the alveoli, which are the microscopic sacs responsible for oxygen absorption are filled with fluid. Typically, the symptoms involved with pneumonia include difficulty in breathing, chest pain, fever and a regular phlegm filled cough. Viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites can cause pneumonia in humans. Pneumonia is also not an age specific disease. It can attack children as well as adults. However, the possibility of pneumonia leading to death increases if the person is elderly or is terminally ill. Pneumonia is unique amongst diseases in the wide variations that are observed. This makes treatment equally varied. Pneumonia caused by bacteria which seem to be the most common, are treated with the help of antibiotics. But antibiotics do not work for viral pneumonia. Generally hospitalisation is not needed for pneumonia. However because there are chances of complications especially with the elderly or already ill patients, hospitalisations becomes necessary. In such a situation it is better to prevent pneumonia instead of treating it. There are

Meningitis vaccination

Meningitis is a word that conjures up pictures of horror and understandably so. In simple terms, meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges - the protective layers that cover the brain and spinal cord. Because of the brain and spinal cord are both involved, meningitis is considered to be a serious condition as it can lead to serious brain damage, and even death. Meningitis can be caused due to infection, physical damage or even drugs. Both children and adults can contract this illness as it is spread through air and coughing, sneezing, kissing etc can pass on the infection. Meningitis associated with infection which is the most common, can be treated with antibiotics. However, there is never a guarantee of zero damage, and hence it is best to protect against the chance of contracting meningitis due to infections. One of the best ways of protection from meningitis is the Meningitis vaccination. Meningitis can be caused because of a virus or bacteria. Bacterial meningitis is more severe than viral meningitis and rarer. Thus, a single Meningitis vaccination is not enough to protect against all strains of virus/bacteria that can cause meningitis. There are 3 major meningitis vaccinations that are now part