Infectious diseases and their prevention
The World Health Organisation cites immunisation against infectious diseases as one of the most cost-effective health investments, estimated to avoid over 2 million deaths each year.
Understanding the consequences of infectious disease helps us to appreciate why their prevention is an NHS priority. You may like to know more about the severity of some of these conditions and how important it is that you and those around you are protected as much as possible.
Wyeth Vaccines
Wyeth supplies vaccines to protect against some infectious diseases.
Wyeth Vaccines current portfolio includes vaccines which protect against
Flu (Influenza) two types of
Meningitis and Septicaemia,
Pneumonia and some
Ear Infections.
Influenza (Flu)
Flu is a serious viral infection that affects the upper airways and lungs. Usually, most healthy people recover in a week or so, though flu often leaves them feeling tired and “out of sorts” for a while afterwards. Flu can, however, lead to serious medical complications especially in older adults and people with underlying medical conditions …more
Flu can be very dangerous, even for young and healthy people, particularly when a new type develops and nobody has any immunity to it. When this happens the infection can spread very rapidly around the world and many millions of deaths can occur – this is called a pandemic
…more
Pneumococcal infections
Pneumococcal infections are caused by pneumococcal bacteria, and can lead to serious diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, septicaemia (blood poisoning), and some types of ear infection such as otitis media. The most serious pneumococcal infections, especially pneumonia amongst at-risk groups, have a high mortality rate.
Pneumococcal vaccines can protect against some types of pneumococcal infection. A pneumococcal vaccine is given to all babies and children in the routine vaccination programme. There is also a pneumococcal vaccine recommended for the over 65s and people with high-risk conditions.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an acute illness in which the lungs become inflamed, filling with fluid and making breathing difficult. It is a serious and life-threatening condition. Pneumonia can be caused by many different viruses, fungal and bacterial infections, but pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common type of pneumonia and is usually caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae
Pneumonia may affect more than 1 in 10 people in the UK annually. Some groups of the population are more at risk or may be more seriously affected by it...more
Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes (‘meninges’) around the brain and spinal cord. The meninges become inflamed and swollen which can then damage the nerves and the brain. Meningitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi and the effects can be very serious, particularly in the case of bacterial meningitis. Before vaccines and antibiotics were developed to protect from some bacteria and to treat meningitis, the death rate was very high. Even today, meningitis can be life-threatening, particularly if it is not recognised and treated immediately. It is important to know what the symptoms of meningitis are, particularly in children, and what you should do about it …more
Meningitis and Septicaemia
Meningitis caused by bacteria can also infect the blood and may lead to symptoms of septicaemia (blood poisoning) and septic shock. One of the most common forms is caused by the bacteria ‘Neisseria meningitidis. The combination of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia is known as meningococcal disease, and it is very important to recognise the symptoms of this dangerous condition, because it needs urgent hospital treatment…more
Ear infections
Infections of the ear can affect the outer part of the ear (‘otitis externa’) or of the inner or middle ear (‘otitis media’).
Otitis externa
Affects more than 1% of the population in the UK every year. It causes inflammation (swelling) of the tube between the outer ear and the ear drum. Anyone can get otitis externa, but it is slightly more common in women than in men. Otitis externa may be caused by an infection, or by an allergic reaction to something that comes into contact with the external ear canal. However, in many cases, the cause remains unknown. Otitis externa can be easily treated with ear drops and analgesics (painkillers) although in rare cases, there can be complications associated with the condition. more
Otitis Media
Acute otitis media (AOM) is an infection of the inner ear common in childhood. The child’s middle ear fills with fluid, causing pain and distress. About a third of AOM infections are caused by a bacterium called ‘Streptococcus pneumoniae’. There are vaccines available which can protect against some causes of AOM and other infections that can affect the ear and respiratory system. Sometimes otitis media infections happen repeatedly or last a long time, this is called chronic otitis media and can lead to ear damage and cause deafness...more
More information
If you have any questions about the vaccines or illnesses described here, you may find the answers in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) pages in each of the disease sections.
If you want to find out whether you are at risk of any of these illnesses, try taking our Are You At Risk? Quiz.
If you want to find out when your child should be immunised and which vaccines are recommended, see our immunisation schedule