DTP Vaccine UK
Diphtheria, tetanus, and polio (DTP) are serious diseases that can lead to long-term health issues. The DTP vaccine, given as a single injection into the upper arm, boosts protection against all three diseases.
What is DTP?
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that primarily targets the throat and nose, whereas tetanus arises from bacteria entering the body through an open wound. Polio, a viral infection, has the potential to cause paralysis or even be fatal.
Despite intensive medical care, the mortality rate for tetanus remains between 10% and 20%. As for polio, approximately 95% of those infected show no symptoms.
Vaccinations are available to protect against all three of these diseases. It is crucial to ensure that you and your family are updated on these vaccines to safeguard against these serious health threats.
Symptoms of DTP
Symptoms of diphtheria typically appear 2 to 5 days after infection and may include:
Common symptoms include:
In regions with poor hygiene, cutaneous diphtheria, a skin infection, is more common. It can cause:
You can get DTP through
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that spreads through:
- Coughing, sneezing, or close contact with an infected person
- Sharing items like cups, utensils, clothing, or bedding with someone who is infected
Tetanus
Tetanus bacteria can enter the body through various types of skin injuries, such as:
- Cuts and grazes
- Tears or splits in the skin
- Burns
- Animal bites
- Body piercings, tattoos, and injections
- Eye injuries
- Injecting contaminated drugs
Polio
Polio is a viral infection that spreads rapidly from person to person. It can be transmitted through:
- Contact with the faeces of an infected person, often due to inadequate hand washing before touching your mouth
- Consuming contaminated food or water
- Coughing or sneezing, although this method of transmission is less common
How long will each appointment take?
Each appointment will take around 30 minutes.
Unvaccinated travellers to countries with low vaccination rates remain at risk of contracting diphtheria. Generalised tetanus is the most common form of the disease, leading to severe, painful muscle contractions and spasms
However, some countries still carry a high risk of diphtheria, tetanus, and polio. These include:
- Afghanistan
- Angola
- Chad
- India
- Pakistan and
- Yemen
Next Day Appointments are Available
Not which vaccine you need?
If you feel confused regarding which travel vaccine you require for your holiday, you can book an appointment at the care pharmacy travel clinic leeds .
How Does it Work?
Book an appointment & pay online
Fill an online form and select a time slot to save time at your appointment.
Get Your First Dose
Get a free consultation in our clinic, discuss your course options with our healthcare experts and receive your first vaccination.
Follow-up Dose(s)
You’ll get to know about followup doses during your first appointment.
FAQs
Tetanus typically leads to lockjaw (trismus), characterised by spasms in the facial muscles. Additional symptoms include:
- Stiffness in the neck
- Severe arching of the back
- Abnormal breathing patterns
- Difficulty swallowing
No, tetanus is not transmissible from person to person.
The majority of individuals infected with polio do not exhibit symptoms. For those who do, mild, flu like symptoms may occur, including:
- High fever
- Severe fatigue
- Headaches
- Vomiting
- Stiffness in the neck
- Muscle pain
These symptoms generally persist for up to 10 days.
In rare cases, polio can cause more severe symptoms affecting the brain and nerves, such as muscle weakness (paralysis), typically in the legs.
There is no cure for polio, but certain types of care can help reduce the risk of long term complications. This care may include:
- Bed rest in a hospital setting
- Pain management
- Assistance with breathing
- Regular stretching and exercises to prevent muscle and joint issues
If long term complications arise from polio, specialised care, such as physiotherapy or surgery, may be necessary.
Yes, a booster is recommended every ten years if there is a risk associated with your travel destination.
Tetanus symptoms typically appear between 4 to 21 days after infection, with an average onset around ten days. The primary symptoms include:
- Jaw muscle stiffness (lockjaw), making it difficult to open your mouth
- Painful muscle spasms, which can cause breathing and swallowing difficulties
- High fever
- Sweating
- Rapid heartbeat
Without treatment, these symptoms can worsen over the following hours and days.
The DTP vaccine is available for children aged 6 and older.
No matter your destination, the Care Pharmacy Travel Clinic in Leeds and Bradford is committed to ensuring your safety and protection throughout your journey.
The vaccine protects you for 10 years. You will need a booster to remain protected after every 10 years.
Adults require a tetanus booster every 10 years. This booster is an additional dose of the vaccine administered months or years after the initial one.
No, DTP is not a live vaccine in the UK and it cannot cause the disease it protects against.
Ready to Get Vaccinated?
