While some illnesses, such as the common cold, often produce only mild symptoms, others can cause serious health issues. Immunizations help lower your risk of ending up with an infectious disease that could require hospitalization. Find out more about why you should plan on going to your doctor in Dallas for vaccinations.

 What Are Immunizations?

Immunizations or vaccinations are injections that you receive in order to protect you from certain diseases. Some of these injections contain inactivated germs that cause specific illnesses, while others contain live but weakened germs. The presence of germs from immunizations causes your immune system to respond by making antibodies to fight them off and lymphocytes that remember these germs. If you’re exposed to these germs again, your immune system will be ready to respond and prevent infection from occurring.

 Benefits of Immunizations

Immunizations provide your body with a safe and effective way to ward off illnesses that can be serious or even life-threatening. Getting vaccinated means that you’re also helping to support herd immunity, which reduces the risk of disease outbreaks in communities. Herd immunity also helps protect those who are most at risk of becoming seriously ill from infectious diseases, such as younger children, senior citizens and people who have compromised immune systems. Although vaccines don’t provide you with 100 percent immunity to infectious diseases, they can drastically lessen the impact of these diseases if you get them. For example, if you get the flu even after being vaccinated, you’re far less likely to develop complications.

 Types of Immunizations

There are several types of immunizations that you should receive in order to protect yourself from infectious diseases. These include hepatitis B, rotavirus, diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (DTaP), Haemophilus influenzae type B, pneumococcal, polio, influenza, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), varicella (chickenpox) and hepatitis A. As you get older, there are other vaccines to consider getting, such as the zoster vaccine to protect against shingles and the tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.

 How do you know which vaccines you’ve had and which ones you might need? Your doctor in Dallas can let you know which immunizations you’re up-to-date on and which ones you need boosters for.

 Immunization Side Effects

Immunizations are generally safe for most people, but there is a chance of experiencing side effects. Most are mild, such as having a slight fever and soreness at the injection site. More serious reactions are very rare.

In order for immunizations to be effective at protecting you from diseases, you need to stay current with them. If you are due for any vaccinations, schedule an appointment with your doctor in Dallas. This helps ensure that your risk of getting potentially serious illnesses is as low as possible.