Question

Write the full form of DPT vaccine.
A. Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (whooping cough)
B. Diphtheria, Typhoid and Pertussis (whooping cough)
C. Diphtheria, Tuberculosis, and Pertussis (whooping cough)
D. Diarrhea, Tetanus, and Pertussis (whooping cough)

Answer 1

Hint: In the name of this vaccine, the three letters D, P, and T stand for three bacterial diseases affecting mucous membranes, nervous system, and respiratory system respectively.

Complete answer:
Due to being used against three infectious diseases caused by the different bacteria, the DPT vaccine is categorized as a type of combination vaccine. The three diseases are diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis which are caused by bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Clostridium tetani, and Bordetella pertussis respectively. Diphtheria, caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae is a serious infection that leads to a situation of difficulty in breathing, paralysis, heart failure and even death in critical situations. The toxins released by Clostridium tetani affect the functioning of respiratory muscles and due to this interference the patient may feel suffocated. In whooping cough, caused by Bordetella pertussis, the conditions of severe spasmodic coughing arises.

Additional information
- DPT vaccine is also known as the DTaP vaccine and is only for children below 7 years old. For children older than this age, different vaccines are also available as Tdap and Td.
- DPT vaccine can be given in two ways – either as a stand-alone vaccine or as a part of a combination vaccine.
- It should also be noted that this vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines because it causes no interference with other vaccines.

So, the correct answer is “Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (whooping cough)”.

Note:
-Vaccines are biological preparations that are used to provide active acquired immunity against a specific infectious disease and contain agents resembling the actual disease-causing microorganism but are in weakened form or inactivated form.
-Usually, five doses of DPT vaccine are recommended for the children at ages – 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years.