Prevention of diseases: regular examinations and vaccination

Prevention of diseases: regular examinations and vaccination

I. The importance of the prevention of diseases:

Health is the most valuable thing we have. Maintaining health requires constant efforts, one of the key aspects of which is the prevention of diseases. Prevention is a set of measures aimed at preventing diseases, reducing the risk of their development and mitigating their consequences. It is much more effective and economically more profitable than the treatment of diseases that have already occurred. Regular medical examinations and vaccination play a crucial role in the prevention of diseases at all stages of life.

II. Regular medical examinations: the basis of prevention.

Regular medical examinations are planned visits to a doctor aimed at assessing the general state of health, identifying risk factors for the development of diseases, diagnosing diseases in the early stages and the timely prescription of the necessary treatment. They allow not only to detect diseases when they are still easy to treat, but also help to take measures to prevent their development in the future.

A. The goals of regular medical examinations:

1. Assessment of general health: The doctor collects an anamnesis (medical history), conducts a physical examination, measures blood pressure, pulse, weight and height. These data allow you to evaluate the general state of health and identify possible deviations from the norm.
2. Identification of risk factors for the development of diseases: The doctor asks questions about lifestyle, habits, family history and other factors that can increase the risk of developing certain diseases. For example, smoking, alcohol abuse, malnutrition, insufficient physical activity, heredity.
3. Diagnosis of diseases in the early stages: Many diseases in the early stages are asymptomatic or with minimal symptoms. Regular examinations allow you to identify such diseases when they are still easy to treat. For example, breast cancer, cervical cancer, glaucoma, diabetes, hypertension.
4. Timely purpose of the necessary treatment: If during the examination any deviations or diseases are detected, the doctor prescribes the necessary treatment, which may include drug therapy, a change in lifestyle, physiotherapy and other methods.
5. Providing recommendations for maintaining health: The doctor gives recommendations on a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, physical activity, stress prevention and other aspects that are important for maintaining health.
6. Assessment of the effectiveness of the treatment: For patients already under treatment for any diseases, regular examinations allow us to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and, if necessary, make adjustments.

B. Types of regular medical examinations:

1. Preventive medical examination (medical examination): This is a comprehensive examination aimed at identifying the most common non -infectious diseases and risk factors for their development. It is carried out free of charge within the framework of the compulsory medical insurance system. It includes survey, measurement of anthropometric data, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol in the blood, electrocardiography, fluorography and other studies depending on the age and gender of the patient.
2. Periodic medical examinations: They are carried out for workers engaged in work with harmful and (or) dangerous working conditions. The goal is to identify occupational diseases and prevent their development.
3. Preliminary medical examinations: They are carried out upon admission to work associated with harmful and (or) dangerous working conditions. The goal is to determine the compliance of the employee’s health with the requirements of this work.
4. Target medical examinations: They are carried out as prescribed by a doctor in the presence of certain complaints or suspicions of the disease.

C. Recommendations for regular medical examinations:

1. Age and Paul: The frequency and volume of medical examinations depend on the age and gender of a person. For example, women are recommended to visit a gynecologist and mammologist annually, and men over 45 years old – pass the screening for prostate cancer.
2. Family history: If the family has cases of certain diseases (for example, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus), then the risk of developing these diseases in descendants increases. In this case, it is recommended to start screening for these diseases at an earlier age and conduct it more often.
3. Life: People leading an unhealthy lifestyle (smoking, alcohol abuse, malnutrition, insufficient physical activity) need more frequent medical examinations.
4. Chronic diseases: Patients with chronic diseases (for example, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma) should regularly visit the doctor to control the course of the disease and treat treatment.
5. Doct’s recommendations: The doctor can give individual recommendations on the frequency and volume of medical examinations, based on the state of health of the patient, his age, gender, family history and lifestyle.

D. The main studies conducted as part of regular medical examinations:

1. Blood test: A general blood test (UAC) allows you to estimate the amount of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and other blood cells. The biochemical test of blood allows you to evaluate the function of the liver, kidneys, pancreas, the level of glucose, cholesterol and other substances in the blood.
2. Urine analysis: A general urine analysis (OAM) allows you to evaluate the function of the kidneys, identify the presence of urinary tract infection and other diseases.
3. Electrocardodiography (ECG): Allows you to evaluate the functioning of the heart, identify rhythm and conductivity, signs of myocardial ischemia.
4. Fluorography (radiography of the chest organs): Allows you to identify lung diseases (for example, tuberculosis, pneumonia, lung cancer) and heart.
5. Ultrasound examination (ultrasound): Allows you to visualize internal organs and identify various diseases. For example, ultrasound of the abdominal organs, ultrasound of the thyroid gland, ultrasound of the mammary glands.
6. Mammography: X -ray examination of the mammary glands used to detect breast cancer.
7. Cytological examination of a cervix smear (papa test): It is used to identify precancerous and cancer changes in the cervix.
8. Colonoscopy: Endoscopic examination of the colon used to detect polyps and cancer of the colon.
9. Measurement of blood pressure: Allows you to identify hypertension (increased blood pressure).
10. Measurement of blood glucose levels: Allows you to identify diabetes.
11. Dentist’s inspection: Allows you to identify caries and other diseases of the teeth and gums.
12. Inspection of an ophthalmologist: Allows you to evaluate vision, identify glaucomas and other eyes of the eyes.

E. Preparation for a medical examination:

1. Find out what tests and research you have to go through.
2. Ask the doctor whether some special preparation for these analyzes and research is needed. For example, to give a blood test, on an empty stomach, it is necessary to refrain from eating for 8-12 hours. For colonoscopy, it is necessary to clean the intestines.
3. Take all the necessary documents with you: Passport, compulsory medical insurance policy, medical card, results of previous examinations.
4. Make a list of questions that you want to ask a doctor.

III. Vaccination: an effective way to prevent infectious diseases.

Vaccination is the introduction of a vaccine into the human body containing weakened or killed microorganisms (viruses or bacteria) or their components. Vaccination stimulates the immune system to the production of antibodies, which protect the body from an infectious disease. Vaccination is one of the most effective and safe ways to prevent infectious diseases.

A. The principle of vaccination:

Vaccination is based on the principle of acquired immunity. When the body occurs with an infectious agent (virus or bacterium), the immune system produces antibodies that neutralize this agent. After the infection in the body, memory cells remain, which, when re -meeting with the same agent, quickly produce antibodies, preventing the development of the disease or softening its course.

Vaccination imitates a natural infection, but at the same time does not cause the development of the disease or causes it in a mild form. The vaccine contains weakened or killed microorganisms or their components that stimulate the immune system to the production of antibodies, but are not able to cause a complete disease. After vaccination in the body, immunity is formed to this infectious disease, which can persist for several years or even for life.

B. Vaccines:

1. Living vaccines: They contain weakened, but living microorganisms. Provide the longest and most persistent immunity. Examples: Vaccine against measles, rubella, mumps (MMR), vaccine against chickenpox, vaccine against rotavirus infection.
2. Inactivated vaccines: Contain murdered microorganisms. Provide less prolonged immunity than living vaccines. They may require repeated introduction (revaccination) to maintain immunity. Examples: a vaccine against poliomyelitis (IPV), a vaccine against hepatitis A, a flu vaccine.
3. Substimate vaccines: Contain individual components of microorganisms (for example, proteins or polysaccharides). Provide a high level of security, but may require the addition of adjuvants (substances that enhance the immune response). Examples: a vaccine against hepatitis B, a vaccine against pneumococcal infection, a vaccine against meningococcal infection.
4. Toxoid vaccines: Contain inactivated toxins produced by microorganisms. Provide immunity to toxins, and not to the microorganisms themselves. Examples: a vaccine against diphtheria, a tetanus vaccine.
5. MRNC-vaccines: Contain genetic material (MRNA), encoding antigen microorganism. After introducing MRNA into the body, it penetrates into cells that begin to synthesize antigen. This stimulates the immune system to the production of antibodies. Examples: vaccines against the Covid-19 (Pfizer-Biontech, Moderna).
6. Vector vaccines: Use a safe virus (vector) to deliver the genetic material of the antigen of microorganism to cell cells. Examples: vaccines against Covid-19 (Astrazeneca, Janssen).

C. National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations:

The national calendar of preventive vaccinations is a document that determines the terms and procedure for mandatory preventive vaccinations in the Russian Federation. Vaccinations included in the National Calendar are carried out free of charge within the framework of the compulsory medical insurance system.

Vaccinations included in the National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations:

1. Hepatitis B: Introduced in the first 24 hours of life, then at 1 month and in 6 months.
2. Tuberculosis: Entered on 3-7 days of life.
3. Polio: Introduced in 3 months, 4.5 months, 6 months, 18 months, 20 months and at 14 years old.
4. Dipheria, whooping cough, tetanus (DTP): Introduced in 3 months, 4.5 months, 6 months and at 18 months. Revaccination against diphtheria and tetanus is carried out at 7 years and at 14 years old. Revaccination against diphtheria, tetanus is carried out every 10 years.
5. Measles, rubella, mumps (MMR): Introduced at 12 months and at 6 years.
6. Flu: An annual vaccination is recommended.

D. Additional vaccinations:

In addition to vaccinations included in the national calendar, there are additional vaccinations that are recommended for epidemic indications or at the request of the patient.

Examples of additional vaccinations:

1. Chicken pox: It is recommended for children and adults who are not painful in chickenpox.
2. Pneumococcal infection: It is recommended for children under 2 years of age, elderly people and people with chronic diseases.
3. Meningococcal infection: It is recommended for children and adolescents attending organized groups (kindergartens, schools, dormitories).
4. Tick ​​-borne encephalitis: It is recommended for people living or visiting areas endemic in tick -borne encephalitis.
5. Hepatitis a: It is recommended for people traveling to countries with a high incidence of hepatitis A.
6. Rotavirus infection: Recommended for children under 6 months.
7. Human papilloma virus (HPV): Recommended for girls and boys aged 9-14 years.
8. The hemophilic infection type B (HIB-infection): Recommended for children under 5 years of age.

E. Contraindications to vaccination:

Vaccination is a safe and effective procedure, but there are certain contraindications to its conduct.

The main contraindications for vaccination:

1. Absolute contraindications: Severe allergic reactions to the previous dose of the vaccine or to the components of the vaccine. Severe immunodeficiency conditions (for example, HIV infection in the AIDS stage).
2. Temporary contraindications: Acute diseases (for example, SARS, influenza). Exacerbation of chronic diseases.

F. side effects of vaccination:

After vaccination, side effects may occur, which usually pass on their own within a few days.

The most common side effects of vaccination:

1. Local reactions: Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site.
2. General reactions: Improving body temperature, weakness, headache, nausea.

G. Vaccination myths:

There are many myths about vaccination that do not have a scientific justification.

Examples of myths about vaccination:

1. Vaccines cause autism. This statement was refuted by numerous scientific research.
2. Vaccines weaken the immune system. On the contrary, vaccines stimulate the immune system to the production of antibodies, which makes the body more resistant to infections.
3. Vaccines contain harmful substances. Vaccines undergo strict quality and safety control. The amount of harmful substances contained in vaccines is negligible and is not a danger to health.
4. Diseases from which are vaccinated are no longer found. Many infectious diseases from which they are instilled still pose a health hazard. Vaccination helps to prevent the spread of these diseases.

H. Recommendations for vaccination:

1. Consult a doctor before vaccination. The doctor will appreciate your health and determine which vaccinations you need.
2. Tell the doctor about all available diseases and allergic reactions.
3. Read the instructions for the vaccine carefully.
4. After vaccination, stay in a medical institution for 15-30 minutes so that the doctor can observe your condition.
5. If side effects occur, consult a doctor.

IV. The relationship of regular examinations and vaccination in the prevention of diseases.

Regular medical examinations and vaccination are complementary methods of the prevention of diseases. Regular examinations allow you to identify risk factors for the development of diseases and diagnose diseases in the early stages, and vaccination helps to prevent the development of infectious diseases.

As part of regular medical examinations, the doctor may evaluate the need for vaccination and give recommendations for the choice of vaccines. Also, the doctor can identify contraindications for vaccination and decide on its delay or cancellation.

Vaccination, in turn, helps to reduce the risk of developing infectious diseases that can lead to serious complications and worsen the quality of life. Vaccination also helps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in society.

V. Conclusion.

Regular medical examinations and vaccination are the most important components of the prevention of diseases. They allow you to identify risk factors for the development of diseases, diagnose diseases in the early stages and prevent the development of infectious diseases. Maintaining health requires constant efforts, and regular medical examinations and vaccination are one of the most effective ways to maintain health for many years. Do not neglect these preventive measures and regularly visit a doctor for consultation and examination. Health is the most valuable thing we have, and we must take care of it.