Chicken Pox Party?

My child has chickenpox, bring your children over for a party!  Such was a common practice since the 50’s; before vaccination, parents had few options.  Exposure to any “wild” virus offers better immunity that a vaccination.  This is a logical assumption since all viruses generally enter the body thru the eyes, nose or mouth and follow a normal immune response verses as a puncture wound.  Getting chickenpox is reported to give permanent immunity to chickenpox while vaccination is only temporary requiring booster shots.  Many of the earlier complications included Reye syndrome that was associated with giving a child aspirin while they had a viral infection.  Never give a child aspirin.

As some parents continue this practice, The Atlantic reports some state health officials are “cracking down on these parents who play Russian roulette with their children’s health.”  They are particularly baffled since a vaccine for chickenpox was approved in 1995.  Having an unequivocal belief that any vaccine is worthwhile could be a barrier to looking at actual risk, benefits, and options.

Varicella zoster (Chickenpox), a member of the herpes family, is a relatively mild childhood disease but can be difficult for adults.  Whether you choose exposure to the wild virus or a vaccination, make sure your child is healthy at the time.  Never vaccinate a child that is sick.  Recently vaccinated children can be contagious so they should not be around pregnant women or individuals with compromised immune systems.

Prior to 1986 the risk of deaths from chickenpox complications was less than 50 children per year, which is 0.0014% (Preblud, S.R. Pediatrics 1986;78:728-735).  These are generally associated with previously compromised immune systems.  Women that contract chickenpox while pregnant during the first 16 weeks have a higher risk of birth defects in their child. 

Complications of the vaccine include pneumonitis (<1%) and seizures (<0.1%) The FDA Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System during the first year of the vaccine reported over 1,500 events, 76 were serious, with 2 deaths.  Vaccine injury information documented a decreased incidence of chicken pox but an increase in the Herpes Zoster (shingles) infection or a reactivation to Herpes Zoster.  Normally the Herpes Zoster does not occur in children.  There are also reported outbreaks of chicken pox in vaccinated children. 

It seems clear that natural immunity is superior.   However, parents should make informed choices about their children's health.  This includes actually looking in to vaccine information concerning risks and benefits.

Stay Well!

 

Autism and Natural Immunity

There is nothing of more concern to a parent than his or her child.  Certainly, a child’s health is paramount and the rise of autism is alarming.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that in 2000 the rate was 1 child in 150.  In 2008 it was 1 in 88 children.  The rate for boys is 1 in 54 and girls 1 in 252.  This is scary as this disease was virtually unknown 20 years ago.  So what is the cause?

Autism is a neurological disease that is associated with problems in the development of brain and nerve tissue.  Metals such as mercury, lead and aluminum are known neurotoxins.  Mercury actually causes the myelin sheath covering nerves to be destroyed.SEE UNIVESITY OF CALGARY VIDEO.    Lead is associated with learning defects in children.  Aluminum is associated with impaired learning and reduced motor coordination. 

It is highly likely that such metals may contribute to autism.  It is also likely that there are other contributing factors that have yet to be identified.  This could include immune system disorders, and the toxic load of the mother from the environment.  A 2005 study reported over 200 different chemicals in each newborns umbilical cord blood sample.    Looking for a single cause will not solve the problem.  Illness usually has a number of factors that come together to create disease.

In 1994, North Carolina enacted a law that required hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination for all children.  Current vaccination for HBV is started on the day the infant is born, followed by a shot at the fourth and 16^th week of life. This is just one of many vaccinations to follow.  HBV vaccine is made from a fungus using “recombinant” technology.  Recombinant means genetically engineered.  Recombinant technology has brought us human insulin. 

Information found in the vaccination manufacturer’s package insert states that the product contains no more than 5 percent of yeast protein.  This translates into RNA or DNA, which is genetic material.  This is unknown RNA or DNA, which, in theory, can interact with our genetic material.  It also reveals that the vaccination contains aluminum and thimerosal.  The thimerosal is a preservative that contains mercury and is reported to be in “trace amounts” in a concentration that is technically not a preservative. 

So if you have a known substance that causes a problem, would you think the first step would be to eliminate the source of the problem?  If I had a room full of puppies, should I keep cleaning up after them or just put them outside?    The first principle of wellness should be to eliminate any source of a toxin entering the body.  This is simple common sense.  However, in medicine it seems that we must study the problem and get a consensus as the problem gets worse.  Science is not always scientific.

Let’s assume that a pregnant woman is already infected with HBV.  Does it stand to reason that the infant already has the virus?  Can the vaccine protect the child from something it already has?  HBV is transmitted by sexual contact, contaminated blood and/or illegal IV drug use.  So if you are a parent that does not fall in the behavior of common transmission then what is the actual risk to your child?  If your job is in the health care field then you have already taken the HBV shots.  If the vaccine works then your immunity is passed on to the infant through breast-feeding.  The last possibility is that the infant contracts the virus in the hospital.  Hopefully this is not likely.  What is the actual risk of contracting the disease and what are the potential risks of the treatment?

A newborn does not have an intact immune system, which is why breast-feeding is important.  The child gets its immunity from the mother.  Can the baby’s immune system really respond in a positive way to the vaccination?  The very question is unreasonable.  Also, the infant’s brain is not fully developed; even if it were, would you really want to give a known neurotoxin in any amount?  Scientific researchers continue to tell us that vaccinations are not the cause of autism.  They may not be the only cause but are they a contributing factor?  Even if they are right, we are still in violation of risk verses benefits.  We are trained to believe vaccinations prevent disease.  Have you ever Googled “Vaccine Injury”?  Health care is about choices. 
Be informed. 
Be well!

This blog is written for informational purposes only.  This information should not be used for the diagnosis, as a recommendation for treatment, nor should it be considered a replacement for consultation with a healthcare professional.  If you have questions or concerns about your health, please contact your healthcare provider.