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"What is&amp;amp;nbsp;Infanrix-IPV+Hib used for?  Vaccination of infants against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and infection with Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) bacteria, which can cause serious diseases such as meningitis, pneumonia and blood poisoning.   How does&amp;amp;nbsp;Infanrix-IPV+Hib work? Infanrix-IPV+Hib is a combination vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio and Hib infection. It contains inactivated extracts of the five different organisms that cause these diseases.  Diphtheria toxoid is a modified toxin produced by the bacteria that causes diphtheria. Tetanus toxoid is a modified toxin produced by the bacteria that causes tetanus. Acellular pertussis vaccine consists of three components of the bacteria that causes whooping cough. Inactivated poliovirus is an inactivated form of the virus that causes polio. Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide is an extract of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria, which can cause various diseases, the most serious of which is meningitis. The vaccine works by provoking the body&amp;#039;s immune response to these organisms, without actually causing the diseases.  When the body is exposed to foreign organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, the immune system produces antibodies against them. Antibodies help the body recognise and kill the foreign organisms. They then remain in the body to help protect the body against future infections with the same organism. This is known as active immunity.  The immune system produces different antibodies for each foreign organism it encounters. This establishes a pool of antibodies that helps protect the body from various different diseases.  Vaccines contain extracts or inactivated forms of bacteria or viruses that cause disease. These altered forms of the organisms stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against them, but don&amp;#039;t actually cause disease themselves. The antibodies produced remain in the body so that if the organism is encountered naturally, the immune system can recognise it and attack it, thus preventing it from causing disease.  Each bacteria or virus stimulates the immune system to produce a specific type of antibody. This means that different vaccines are needed to prevent different diseases.  Infanrix-IPV+Hib is a combination vaccine that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against the organisms that can cause diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and Hib infection. It is given to prevent these diseases.  How is the vaccine given?  The vaccine is one injection. It is given in three doses at two, three and four months of age, as part of the childhood immunisation schedule. The injection is usually given into the muscle of the thigh.  Important information&amp;amp;nbsp;about&amp;amp;nbsp;Infanrix-IPV+Hib  This vaccine may not be fully effective in children whose immune system is underactive, for example due to a genetic defect, HIV infection, or treatment with medicines that suppress the immune system, such as chemotherapy, high doses of corticosteroids, or medicines to prevent transplant rejection. For further advice talk to your doctor.  This vaccine only provides protection against meningitis caused haemophilus influenzae type B bacteria (Hib). It will not protect against meningitis caused by other organisms.   Infanrix-IPV+Hib should be used with caution in  Children with a personal or family history of febrile convulsions. (These children should be given paracetamol or ibuprofen to prevent fever after having this vaccine - ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice). Children who had a temperature of 40\u00BAC or higher within 48 hours of a previous dose of whooping cough vaccine. Children who collapsed or were unresponsive following a previous dose of whooping cough vaccine. Children who cried persistantly and inconsolably for more than three hours within 48 hours of a previous dose of whooping cough vaccine. Children who had convulsions within three days of a previous dose of whooping cough vaccine. Children who developed a nerve problem called Guillain-Barr\u00E9 syndrome or brachial neuritis after a previous dose of tetanus vaccine. Children at risk of bleeding after an injection into a muscle, for example due to blood clotting disorders such as haemophilia, or a reduced platelet count in the blood (thrombocytopenia). Infants who were born very prematurely (carried for less than 28 weeks).  Infanrix-IPV+Hib should not&amp;amp;nbsp;be used in  Children over three years of age and adults. Fever or sudden severe illness. (In this case the vaccine should be postponed until after the child has recovered). Children with a known allergy to any ingredient of the vaccine (including neomycin, polymyxin and polysorbate 80). Children who have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of this vaccine or other vaccines against these diseases. Children who experienced severe neurological illness (encephalopathy), such as prolonged convulsions (seizures), reduced conciousness, or coma within seven days of a receiving any previous vaccine against whooping cough. Children with progressive or unstable disease affecting the brain and nervous system, eg poorly controlled epilepsy. (In this case the vaccine should be postponed until the condition is corrected or stable).  This vaccine should not be used if your child is allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or nurse if your child has previously experienced such an allergy.  If you feel your child has experienced an allergic reaction after having this vaccine, inform your doctor, nurse or pharmacist immediately.  Possible side effects of Infanrix-IPV+Hib Vaccines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this vaccine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all children having this vaccine will experience that or any side effect.  Very common (affect more than 1 in 10 children)  Pain, redness or swelling at injection site. Unusual crying. Fever. (This can be reduced with paracetamol or ibuprofen - ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice.) Loss of appetite. Restlessness.  Common (affect between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 children)  Hard lump at injection site. Diarrhoea. Vomiting. Sleepiness. Nervousness.  Uncommon (affect between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 children)  Fatigue. Difficulty sleeping.  Rare (affect between 1 in 1000 and 1 in 10,000 children)  Constipation. Flatulence (wind). Inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media). Inflammation of the throat (pharyngitis) or nose (rhinitis). Chest infection. Rash.  Very rare (affect fewer than 1 in 10,000 children)  Allergic reactions. Convulsions. Floppiness or decreased responsiveness. Extensive swelling in the vaccinated limb.  The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the vaccine&amp;#039;s manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this vaccine, please read the information provided with the vaccine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.  If you think you have experienced a side effect from a medicine or vaccine you should check the patient information leaflet. This lists the known side effects and what to do if you get them. You can also get advice from your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. If they think it&amp;#039;s necessary they&amp;#039;ll report it for you. You can also report side effects yourself using the yellow card website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. How can this vaccine affect other medicines?  This vaccine is not known to affect other medicines. This vaccine can be given to children whose immune systems are suppressed by treatment such as immunosuppressant medicines or chemotherapy for cancer. However, unless this treatment is long-term, it is recommended that vaccination is postponed until the immunosuppressive treatment is finished, as the vaccine may be less effective in these children. This vaccine may be given at the same time as meningitis C or hepatitis B vaccines, but should be administered into separate sites and preferably into separate limbs. Other vaccines containing the same active ingredients  Pediacel  Further reading For background information about our medicine factsheets, including the references used to produce them, click here. Last updated 04.11.2008 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/infections/a7880/infanrix-ipv-hib/>