The injection to prevent infections is generally referred to as a vaccine or immunization.
Understanding Vaccines
Vaccines are a type of medication that helps protect you from infectious diseases. According to the reference material, vaccines function as medications or immunizations that stimulate your immune system into producing antibodies against specific germs. These antibodies provide immunity, enabling your body to fight off the germ if you are exposed to it in the future. Different types of vaccines trick your body into thinking it was infected with this germ before, which prompts an immune response without causing illness.
How Vaccines Work: A Simplified Explanation
Think of your immune system as your body's army. Vaccines act like training exercises for this army, preparing it to defend against specific invaders (germs) without actually causing a real invasion (illness).
Benefits of Vaccination
- Disease Prevention: Vaccines significantly reduce your risk of contracting infectious diseases.
- Community Protection (Herd Immunity): When a large portion of a community is vaccinated, it protects individuals who cannot be vaccinated (e.g., infants or people with certain medical conditions).
- Reduced Severity of Illness: Even if you do contract a disease you've been vaccinated against, the symptoms are usually much milder.
Examples of Preventable Diseases Through Vaccination
Many diseases can be prevented through vaccination, including:
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Polio
- Tetanus
- Influenza (Flu)
- COVID-19
