three day Despite the availability of vaccines that effectively protect children against diseases that used to be killers, surveys repeatedly indicate that almost 50 percent of American children are inadequately protected against these diseases. The seven potentially devastating diseases against which all children can and should be properly immunized are diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). Immunizations There are two reasons why so many children go unprotected against these diseases. First, many parents believe that polio, diphtheria, and whooping cough no longer exist. Second, people don't realize how dangerous these and the other four diseases are. Children die or are permanently disabled each year as a result of these preventable diseases. The statistics prove that children are in danger from these diseases, and without immunization your child is also at risk.? Doctors use two types of immunization: Active immunization is achieved by injecting a weakened or killed virus or bacterium into the body. This stimulates the body's natural defense system. The body produces substances known as antibodies, which are tailormade to fight invading organisms. The antibodies, which are carried in the bloodstream, remain in the body for years, sometimes a lifetime, to protect it against that particular disease. Passive immunization involves injecting readymade antibodies- usually extracted from the blood of animals in which immunity has been induced for the sole purpose of producing a vaccine. Passive immunization is only temporary but serves to protect a person who may already be infected until the body has time to create its own antibodies The following sections explain how you can protect your child against these diseases. (Refer to the articles on each of these diseases for full information on the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.) DIPHTHERIA, TETANUS, AND WHOOPING COUGH (PERTUSSIS) To be protected against these three diseases, infants must receive three injections of the combined diphtheriatetanuspertussis (DTP) vaccine by the age of six months. The first injection is given at two months, followed by two more administered every other month. The child must receive a booster shot of DTP vaccine at age 18 months and another booster shot at age four to six years. Thereafter, a booster of diphtheriatetanus vaccine is necessary every ten years for life. Diphtheria. Diphtheria is a bacterial disease that is frequently fatal. It causes infection of the nose, throat, tonsils, and lymph nodes of the neck. The bacterium responsible can produce a toxin (poison) that causes heart damage and paralysis. Cases of diphtheria are reported in every state every year. For every case reported, there are many carriers of the disease. (A carrier is a person who harbors the organisms that cause a disease without getting sick himself or herself and who can transmit the disease to other persons. foot and mouth