This document discusses vaccinations, allergies, and hives. It explains that vaccinations contain weakened or killed pathogens that stimulate antibody production to provide immunity. It lists common vaccinations and notes that the CDC recommends vaccinations to eradicate diseases. Allergies are hypersensitivities that can cause hives, hay fever, or asthma in response to allergens like pollen, dust, or foods. Hives form as a result of an allergic reaction, causing wheals and itchiness, and can vary in size from small to large.

1. Vaccinations, Allergies and Hives, Oh My!

2. VACCINATION (Also known as immunization) Is a weakened or killed pathogen that stimulates antibody production in the body to produce immunity from that pathogen Common vaccinations include: -Flu -MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) -Hepatitis A and B -DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) -Varicella -Rotovirus -Inactive Poliovirus -Meningitis -Rotavirus -Meningococcal -HPV -Pneumoccocal

3. VACCINATION(Also known as immunization) Can be injected in the subcutaneous (fatty tissue) or intramuscular (in the muscle) layers. Quick fact: the Flu vaccine can be administered intramuscular or through a nasal spray. It is recommended for children under 5 to get vaccinated because they have not built up enough defenses to fight these infections and diseases. If you go to www.cdc.gov you will find the recommended vaccination schedules for all ages. The CDC recommends vaccinations until we can remove the disease. Smallpox is a disease that no longer exits because of vaccinations

4. ALLERGIES Hypersensitivity to a common substance in the environment or to a medication Common allergens include: pollen, dust, food, medications, bee and wasp stings, mold spores, mildew, pet dander, latex.

5. ALLERGIES Effects of allergen exposure include hives, hay fever, eczema, asthma, redness in eyes, runny nose, itchiness, in extreme cases anaphylactic shock. Simple avoidance of allergy producing substance, anti-histamines, cortisone creams, immunotherapy, and steroids are some ways to prevent or treat allergies. Scratch tests are a way to determine what exactly you are allergic to. Doctors put a drop of a substance on your skin, then with a sterile needle they scratch the area. If that area gets red and swells, then you are allergic to that substance.

6. HIVES (Urticaria) Hives are wheals that are often itchy as a result of an allergic reaction. -Hives form in response to a histamine. The blood plasma leaks out of the blood vessels and goes into the skin. -Hives are formed by an allergy to some medications, dander, latex, shell fish, nuts, aspirin, ibuprofen, penicillin, etc. -There are also times where there is no known cause.

7. HIVES (Urticaria) Hives can be as small as a pencil eraser or as large as a plate. Hives can last less than a day (acute) or last moths to years (chronic). You should seek medical attention when you are short of breath, lightheaded, or your throat is swelling.