been reported in Virginia, 1,544 in the U.S. •

been reported in Virginia, 1,544 in the U.S.

• Tetanus: The te,tanus bacillus is described as “a very widespread, hardy disease organism.” It lives in soil, street dust, around horses and in horse manure and most often enters the human body through deep, dirty wounds. Symptoms include headache, sweating and mood changes, followed by muscle spasms in the jaw or abdomen. Tetanus can cause breathing and heart problems and it can occur more than once, to people of any age, even if the victim has had tetanus before. In the U.S. so far this year, 13 cases of tetanus have been reported.

• Mumps: The mumps virus is most infectious after the glands in the cheeks and under the jaw begin to swell. Hearing loss may occur with mumps. It can affect people of all ages but is likely to be more serious and painful in teenagers and adults.

• Haemophilus influenzae type b; Known as Hib, the most serious form of this disease is bacterial meningitis. If untreated, Hib may cause brain damage, mental retardation, cerebral palsy or death. Hib can also cause other serious diseases such as the choking disease epiglottitis, pneumonia, or joint, skin and ear infections. Those at highest risk are children who attend day-care facilities or those who have sickle cell disease or immune-system related diseases. In the U.S., 689 cases have been reported this year.

• .Hepatitis B: This virus is spread by direct contact with infected blood or body fluids. It produces flu-like symptoms and some victims also have jaundice, which results in yellow-colored skin and eyes. Liver disease or death from liver failure may occur. There have been 57 reported cases of hepatitis in Virginia so far this year, in the U.S., 5,466 cases.

How Do Vaccines Work?

Vaccines contain small amounts of the

See Shots, Page 11