Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus - Bacterial Blight Busters
| Feature | Diphtheria | Pertussis | Tetanus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agent | C. diphtheriae (G+ bacillus) | B. pertussis (G- coccobac.) | C. tetani (G+ rod, anaerobic) |
| Hallmark | Pseudomembrane, bull neck | Paroxysmal cough, "whoop" | Trismus, muscle spasms |
| Toxin Mech. | Inactivates EF-2 | ADP-ribosylates Gi $\rightarrow$ $↑\text{cAMP}$ | Blocks GABA/glycine release |
| Vaccine | Toxoid (D) | Acellular (aP) / Whole (wP) | Toxoid (T) |
- Diphtheria: Schick test for susceptibility.
- Pertussis: Lymphocytosis common; culture on Bordet-Gengou/Regan-Lowe media.
- Tetanus: Wound management crucial. Neonatal tetanus: unhygienic cord practices.
⭐ Tetanus: Spatula test positive (gag reflex absent, masseter spasm instead).
Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Polio - Viral Vanguard Vanquishers
| Feature | Measles (Rubeola) | Mumps | Rubella (German Measles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agent | Paramyxovirus | Paramyxovirus | Togavirus |
| Rash | Mac-pap, ceph-caud, coalescent | - | Mac-pap, ceph-caud, discrete |
| Key Sign | Koplik spots (buccal); 📌 3C's (Cough, Coryza, Conjunctivitis) | Parotitis (bilateral) | Forchheimer spots (palate); Post. auricular/suboccipital LAD |
| Complication | Pneumonia (commonest death), OM, Encephalitis, SSPE | Orchitis (post-pubertal), Aseptic meningitis, Pancreatitis, Oophoritis | Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS: deafness, cataracts, PDA) |
| Vaccine | Live atten. (MMR) | Live atten. (MMR) | Live atten. (MMR) |
⭐ Measles: Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare, fatal, late neurological complication.
- Polio: Picornavirus (Enterovirus); fecal-oral. Mostly asymptomatic; can cause asymmetric flaccid paralysis (LMN). Vaccines: IPV (Salk-killed), OPV (Sabin-live attenuated - VAPP risk).
HepB, Hib, Rota, PCV - Modern Shield Squad

| Vaccine | Disease Prevented | UIP Schedule (Primary) | Booster Dose | Route | Notes / High-Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HepB | Hepatitis B, Cirrhosis, HCC | Birth (within 24h), 6, 10, 14 wks (Pentavalent) | Not routine in UIP | IM | 📌 HepB at Birth! Monovalent at birth. |
| Hib | H. influenzae type b: Meningitis, Epiglottitis | 6, 10, 14 wks (Pentavalent) | 16-18 months | IM | 📌 Hi bye to meningitis! Part of Pentavalent. |
| Rotavirus | Severe Infantile Diarrhea (Rotavirus GE) | 6, 10, 14 wks (e.g., Rotavac, Rotasiil) | None | Oral | > ⭐ Slight risk of intussusception (esp. 1st dose, within 7 days). |
| PCV | Pneumococcal disease (Pneumonia, Meningitis) | 6, 10, 14 wks (PCV13) | 9-12 months | IM | Protects against S. pneumoniae; reduces otitis media. |
BCG, Varicella, JE, Typhoid - Contextual Champions
- BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin)
- Live attenuated (Danish 1331). Dose: 0.05mL (<1mo), 0.1mL (≥1mo) ID, left upper arm.
- Scar: Papule (2-3w) → Ulcer (6-8w) → Scar (8-12w).
-
⭐ BCG protects against severe childhood TB (meningitis, miliary), not primary infection or adult pulmonary TB.
- Contra: Immunodeficiency. Complication: BCG-osis/lymphadenitis.
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Live attenuated (Oka strain). 0.5mL SC.
- Schedule: 15mo, 4-6yr. Post-exposure: Vaccine (3-5d); VZIG for high-risk.
- JE (Japanese Encephalitis)
- Live (SA 14-14-2) or Killed. NIP (endemic areas): 9-12mo, 16-24mo.
- High fatality (20-30%); neuro sequelae. Vector: Culex mosquitoes.
- Typhoid
- Vi Polysaccharide (ViPS): ≥2yr, 0.5mL IM. Booster q3yr.
- Oral Ty21a: ≥6yr, 3-4 doses. Booster q3-5yr. For travelers, endemic areas.
- Efficacy 50-80%.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways
- Live vaccines (MMR, OPV) contraindicated in immunocompromised & pregnancy.
- Killed vaccines (IPV) safer in immunocompromised; may have ↓ immunogenicity.
- India's Pentavalent vaccine includes DPT, Hep B, and Hib.
- Measles vaccine at 9 months with Vitamin A; second dose at 15-18 months.
- BCG vaccine (intradermal) protects against severe TB (meningitis, miliary); leaves a scar.
- Rotavirus vaccine (oral) prevents severe childhood diarrhea.
- PCV prevents invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae disease.
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