●  Prevention is essential for outdoor activity

People are vulnerable to various viruses in spring with a huge temperature range and dry weather. Viral diseases are rampant due to low immunity of body. SK Chemical (CEO and vice-chairman Kim Chang Geun) introduces ‘Rotateg’ oral Rota virus preventive vaccine and ‘SK TD vaccine’ for tetanus and Diphtheria.

Infants who started community life in kindergartens or nurseries are vulnerable to virus for their weak immunity. Rota virus is one of rampant viruses in spring causing acute infantile diarrhea and children under 5 can be infected repeatedly from 1 to 5 times. 

It is contagious through feces or oral path in a crowded place, and also can be infected through contact of polluted drinking water, food or toys. 

Initially it can be misunderstood as a simple cold for its fever, but it brings severe diarrhea and vomiting. If dehydration continues proper treatment through hospitalization is necessary as it can cause death if severe.

Rota virus has no medicine once one is infected, has tolerance against soap and antiseptic and can be rapidly expanded with long-term infectiousness. Perfect prevention is impossible even though one takes personal hygiene thoroughly.

The sole prevention is to vaccinate Rota virus vaccine. ＇Rotateg＇ is a polyvalent vaccine including 5 types serovar and is administered three times within 8 months from 6 weeks after its birth. 98% of serious Rota virus gastrointestinal ulcer can be prevented through the ‘Rotateg’ vaccination. 74% of serious Rota virus gastrointestinal ulcer cases caused by G1-G4 serovar can be prevented.

Currently, infants in 2, 4 6 months old are recommended to vaccination in the US, and free vaccination to children in the low income family is provided through vaccine support program.

TD vaccination is also must-do in spring with warm weather and many outdoor activities. In particular TD vaccine needs additional vaccination every 10 years after the first vaccination in 11 or 12 years old.

Tetanus is a medical condition characterized by a contraction of pathogenic fungus in feces of human or animals, thorn or nail to a wound. So, one can contract tetanus when there is any wound during the play in the ground. Diphtheria is infected by saliva or phlegm of a person who contracts diphtheria.

* Tetanus and diphtheria requires additional vaccination every 10 years. In 2005,TD additional vaccination became compulsory to 12 years old, and it is the responsibility of principal of elementary and secondary schools to confirm and guide it. 

Adults are also needed additional vaccination. 28million people over 30 years old are subject to additional vaccination. According to the record in the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most adults over 20 years old are proved to be vulnerable to be infected as they have no proper immunity. 

Why don’t you protect family health by taking vaccination before the spring outing? 

*Appendix: Terminology
<Terminology>
*Tetanus: Tetanus is caused by the Gram-positive obligate anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani. The virus produces tetanospasmin whose lethal dose is 2.5ng per kg. As the infection progresses, muscle spasms develop and opisthotonos appears due to cynic spasm etc. for intrinsic electrical properties cases, its mortality rates vary from 25~70%, and reaches up to 100% for new born babies and aged people. No prevention or treatment is expected once contracted. 
As minimum exotoxin of tetanus can occur the disease and no protective immunity is acquired in the body, it is far most important to prevent the disease by vaccination.

* Diphtheria: Diphtheria occurs by the Gram-positive virus named Corynebacterium diphtheria. The toxic that Diphtheria virus produces spreads out through a respiratory organ to prevent the synthesis of cell protein. 
It causes necrosis of organs in the invasion section forming white membrane and inducing myocarditis in the whole body. The mortality rate reported is over 10%.
Tenatus can be cured with penicillin or erythromycin, but it needs early administration and a large amount of antitoxin. But, no antitoxin is produced in Korea. Diphtheria also needs vaccination to prevent in advance as it cannot acquire protective immunity.