Vaccines and Steroids

Vaccines are biological preparations that provide acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease by stimulating the body's immune system to recognize and fight pathogens.

Live attenuated vaccines contain a weakened form of the germ that causes a disease, while inactivated vaccines contain killed germs.

Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). It is recommended during pregnancy to protect both the mother and newborn from these diseases.

Common side effects include soreness at the injection site, mild fever, fatigue, and headache.

The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) contains live attenuated viruses, which can pose a risk to the developing fetus.

Herd immunity occurs when a significant portion of a population becomes immune to a disease, making its spread unlikely, thus protecting those who are not immune.

Steroids are synthetic drugs that mimic cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. They are primarily used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system.

Potential side effects include weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, increased risk of infections, and mood changes.

Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation and suppress the immune response in autoimmune diseases, providing relief from symptoms.

Anabolic steroids are synthetic variations of testosterone that promote muscle growth, while corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medications.