- The skin and mucous membranes in the mouth, nose, and gut serve as the body’s first defense against infection.
- Breaks in the skin or compromised mucous membranes can allow bacteria, viruses, or fungi to enter the body.
- Once inside, viruses can invade healthy cells, take over their machinery, and produce copies that spread infection.
- Depending on the infection and affected cells, the results can be severe, including pneumonia, intellectual disability, cancer, sterility, or death.
- Vaccines were developed to prevent these serious outcomes and remain one of the most effective ways to protect children and families against disease.
How do Viruses Work
Infections can cause severe illness or disability, depending on which cells are damaged and how the body reacts. Vaccines are made to stop these serious problems. That is why vaccine targets are chosen carefully.
Susanne Tanski, MD, MPH, Pediatrics
