Parents giving chicken pox/lollipops to their kids

[5knights3maidens]

http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c3#/video/health/2011/11/09/nr-cohen-chickenpox-lollipops.cnn

 

This is disgusting. Why don't they just say no to the vaccine?

[Kim in Appalachia]

We heard this the other day. :001_huh: It's gross. Why would parents purposely give their children a virus? People are so strange.

[amy g.]

I have friends who have done this. It's sure not my cuppa.

[jplain]

This is disgusting. Why don't they just say no to the vaccine?

Some people believe natural immunity is a better option than vaccine-acquired immunity.

 

Furthermore, in some states it is very difficult to say no to a single vaccine. Some states do not allow pick-and-choose vaccine waivers. Some states only allow religious or medical vaccine waivers, which won't be applicable to every family.

 

Also, if one does obtain a waiver, in many states a child will be forced to leave school for the duration of any vaccine-preventable disease outbreak against which the child is not vaccinated. I do know a local child who was sent home from school last year for 2 weeks when there was a case of chicken pox in another class.

 

My understanding is that the vaccine was originally developed not because chicken pox is dangerous, but because it causes so much parent absenteeism at work. I don't have the numbers handy, but pre-vaccine the number of days of missed work per year due to chicken pox added up to an astounding amount of lost business revenue.

[bbkaren]

^ This. It's been happening for years, even before the vaccine came around.

 

It's a matter of getting it over with, in a controlled timetable and manner so that it doesn't come at the worst-possible-time which is what usually happens.

 

In our case, we live in NJ and are still in PS, so my son has been subjected to the stupid vaccine by law.

[Carrie12345]

I remember chicken pox parties before the vaccine came out. I played with my poxed cousins, lol.

 

I don't get the shot for my kids, and I don't go looking for the pox, but I would like my kids to get them at a reasonable age in order to avoid vaccinating when they're older.

 

They're chicken pox, not polio.

[Cricket]

It isn't as simple as just saying no to a vaccine. If someone gets chickenpox as a teenager or an adult, then it is much more serious. Our younger three did not get the chickenpox vaccine. Our 10 yo is to the point where we will have to get him vaccinated because he hasn't contracted the virus naturally. I certainly wouldn't order a licked lollipop or some spit from an infected kid though. UGH!!!

[Slipper]

I personally wouldn't do it, but for something like chicken pox, I don't condemn it. I think the vaccine would be easier on the child, but, I'd certainly rather they have chicken pox as a child than as an adult. Many unvaccinated kids will be unprotected adults. (I'm not condemning those who don't vaccinate by the way - I realize it's controversial but at the end of the day, it's a parent's right to choose).

[jplain]

It's a matter of getting it over with, in a controlled timetable and manner so that it doesn't come at the worst-possible-time which is what usually happens.

Yup! I had chicken pox over Thanksgiving, so at Grandma's house I was quarantined in an aunt's bedroom.

Because of the long incubation period, my four younger sibs all came down with it just in time for Christmas. :tongue_smilie:

[MariannNOVA]

My ex-h and my youngest (at the time) had natural immunity. Exposed to CP again and again (oldest dd had them when she was 12) -- ex and then-youngest never presented the pox.

 

Then-youngest is FORCED to get the vaccination prior to beginning medical school - she is 21 at this time. She tried to fight the powers that be, but she was made to get the vaccine. Two weeks later, she is covered from the neck up, inside of her mouth, with chicken pox.

 

Two months later, she presents with shingles. She has had shingles 4 times in the past 7 years.

 

I still maintain that if she had not been forced to get the vaccine, none of this would have happened.

[Unicorn.]

But Chickenpox can be dangerous. We were going to skip it, but then a local 3 yo died from it. Changed my thinking completely.

From the CDC: Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that chickenpox deaths fell from an average of 105 per year to 14 after the vaccine had been available for a dozen years. Deaths declined in all age groups, but the drop was most significant among children.

 

Our pedi at the time told me that parents used to have chicken pox parties. I guess the lollipop is the new pox party.

[mom2scouts]

Stupid, stupid, stupid!:glare: Don't people realize the children can and do DIE from chickenpox? I had chickenpox as a young adult and, while I know my age made it more risky, I have never been so sick in my life. I had a temperature of 104 degrees, unbearable pain and itching, an awful headache, weakness, and sores in places I won't even tell you about.:001_huh: I would never purposely expose my children to a virus. I did a great deal of research before deciding to vaccinate my younger children. My main concern was whether the vaccine had long term effects that would prevent an infection later.

[snowbeltmom]

When my oldest was at the recommended age to receive the chicken pox vaccine, the vaccine was new on the market, and there was some concern that the vaccine would "wear off" and not provide life-long protection. Since chicken pox is a serious disease if contracted as a teenager or adult, I elected not to vaccinate.

 

My pediatrician was on board with my decision, but said that if my son had not had the disease by the time he was eleven, she would recommend that he be vaccinated at that point. My son came down with the chicken pox when he was five, and he gave it to his younger siblings. There were some other families in my neighborhood who had also decided not to vaccinate who brought their kids over to play with my kids while they were sick in hopes that their kids would catch the virus - it worked.

 

I think it may be harder to catch the virus now than it was 10 years ago since so many more kids are vaccinated today. I guess that it why parents are resorting to the lollipops if they have any reservations about the vaccine.

[Tress]

In the Netherlands they don't vaccinate for chicken pox and I'm starting to get a bit nervous about my oldest. I don't want her to get it when she is too old, but the children of my friends all have had chicken pox when they were much younger, so I can't find anyone to expose her.

[misidawnrn]

Vaccines are not a one size fits all medical treatment. I don't personally like the idea of licked lollipops but I did have a friend send pox exposed clothing so I could expose my kids. My little DD was 17 months and got the chicken pox, had some caladryl lotion, got over it. I don't have to worry about long lasting effects of a vaccine. Interestingly, DD-7 also got a mild case of the pox and she had been vaccinated at age 1. (I had stopped vaxxing right after that) I would much rather put my trust in a disease made by God than a vaccine made by man for monetary purposes. That's JMO, others are free to vaccinate their children in what ever way they wish. That's the beauty of parenthood...your kids, your choice.

ETA: It was NOT sent through the mail. The stuff was hand delivered by a friend who went from her town to mine. Sorry for the confusion. I know it is illegal to send biohazardous stuff in the mail. Think white powder like anthrax.

Edited November 10, 2011 by misidawnrn
clarification

[Tigger]

My ex-h and my youngest (at the time) had natural immunity. Exposed to CP again and again (oldest dd had them when she was 12) -- ex and then-youngest never presented the pox.

 

Then-youngest is FORCED to get the vaccination prior to beginning medical school - she is 21 at this time. She tried to fight the powers that be, but she was made to get the vaccine. Two weeks later, she is covered from the neck up, inside of her mouth, with chicken pox.

 

Two months later, she presents with shingles. She has had shingles 4 times in the past 7 years.

 

I still maintain that if she had not been forced to get the vaccine, none of this would have happened.

 

Kids who've been exposed to chicken pox or shingles and don't present with chicken pox need to have titers done before vaccination since not everyone who acquires immunity actually breaks out in a rash! Our DS was twice exposed to shingles and never had even a blister anywhere that we could tell - his titers however show he's immune to chicken pox, his doctor said his got a robust immune system and didn't break out, so no need to vax him, he's immune!

[Kim in Appalachia]

Some people believe natural immunity is a better option than vaccine-acquired immunity.

 

Furthermore, in some states it is very difficult to say no to a single vaccine. Some states do not allow pick-and-choose vaccine waivers. Some states only allow religious or medical vaccine waivers, which won't be applicable to every family.

 

Also, if one does obtain a waiver, in many states a child will be forced to leave school for the duration of any vaccine-preventable disease outbreak against which the child is not vaccinated. I do know a local child who was sent home from school last year for 2 weeks when there was a case of chicken pox in another class.

 

My understanding is that the vaccine was originally developed not because chicken pox is dangerous, but because it causes so much parent absenteeism at work. I don't have the numbers handy, but pre-vaccine the number of days of missed work per year due to chicken pox added up to an astounding amount of lost business revenue.

 

 

I think you are right. The vaccine seems to be so people don't miss work or school. I don't like the vaccine either. I have waited to give my kids the vaccine, thinking that maybe they would catch it. I do think the natural immunity is better.

 

But that is not the same as mail ordering a virus and giving it to your kid.

[cathmom]

I had chicken pox as an adult. I am the youngest and all my older siblings had it before I was born. I got some medicine that if you take it in the first...72 hours, maybe?... it lessens the severity. I was only REALLY sick for one day. I've been much sicker with other things.

 

I would not purposely expose my dc to c.pox. Mine have been vaccinated even though I think it's stupid.

[Rivka]

Vaccines are not a one size fits all medical treatment. I don't personally like the idea of licked lollipops but I did have a friend send pox exposed clothing so I could expose my kids.

 

"Send," as in, through the mail?

 

It didn't bother you to think about how many people in between your friend's house and your house would be nonconsensually exposed to a live virus?

 

That's the most horrifyingly irresponsible thing about the lollipop story, to me - that people feel entitled to put virulent material in the U.S. mail, and, apparently, the heck with your mail carrier and anyone else who works at the post office if they happen to be immunocompromised.

[Joker]

"Send," as in, through the mail?

 

It didn't bother you to think about how many people in between your friend's house and your house would be nonconsensually exposed to a live virus?

 

That's the most horrifyingly irresponsible thing about the lollipop story, to me - that people feel entitled to put virulent material in the U.S. mail, and, apparently, the heck with your mail carrier and anyone else who works at the post office if they happen to be immunocompromised.

 

Yep! My older dd had a horrible reaction to the first pox vaccine and they won't repeat it. The drs. said we basically rely on the fact that many get the vaccine so hopefully dd won't come into contact with the virus. The idea of people sending stuff like this through the mail is incredibly irresponsible.

[bbkaren]

Wow...some of you guys are amazing.

 

Is there not a civilized way to help someone "see the light" if you disagree with them?

Edited November 10, 2011 by bbkaren

[scrappyhappymama]

I think the Chicken Pox vaccine is a travesty. Parents are led to believe that it confers life-long immunity, just like acquiring the disease generally does. But now they are recommending boosters at age 5 and as a teen. Because in practice, too many kids are NOT immune. So, we have an entire generation of vaccinated kids who will grow to adulthood with sketchy immunity, and then many of them will contract chicken pox as adults, when it is a much more serious disease. Of course the "solution" then will be for adults to get the booster. But how many adults now get the MMR, pertussis, or tetanus boosters they "should" be getting? Since this is a soapbox issue of mine, I randomly ask adults all the time of they get their booster shots and the vast majority say "Adults need booster shots?"

 

Then there's the effect of the chicken pox vaccine on Shingles. Shingles is a reactivation of the Varicela virus in the body. In the past, it was far less common in healthy adults because they were frequently re-exposed to chicken pox in the children around them, and that re-exposure caused a small immune reaction in their own body that kept the varicela virus dormant. However, now because of the vaccine, folks are rarely exposed to chicken pox, their immunity is not topped up naturally, and the incidences of Shingles have gone WAY up, especially in young, healthy adults. Of course Shingles is much more painful and serious a disease than chicken pox. A dear friend of mine developed Shingles in his eye, which was excruciating for him and nearly cost him his eyesight. The solution of the medical establishment? Shingles vaccines and boosters for adults. Yeah, everyone is going to jump right on that.

 

All of this, to avoid a relatively minor childhood disease. The children who die from chicken pox do not die from chicken pox. They die from a secondary infection, usually because of being immunocompromised already. If I had a child with a condition that left him immunocompromised, I would absolutely have him immunized against chicken pox, and would follow up on his boosters and make sure he knew to continue them throughout his life. But otherwise, for my healthy children, I think the vaccine would be a disservice to them and a disservice to society.

 

I personally do not have a problem with parents choosing to expose their own children, through chicken pox parties or such. But I do wholeheartedly agree with this:

 

"Send," as in, through the mail?

 

It didn't bother you to think about how many people in between your friend's house and your house would be nonconsensually exposed to a live virus?

 

That's the most horrifyingly irresponsible thing about the lollipop story, to me - that people feel entitled to put virulent material in the U.S. mail, and, apparently, the heck with your mail carrier and anyone else who works at the post office if they happen to be immunocompromised.

Edited November 10, 2011 by scrappyhappymama

[redsquirrel]

Well, CP can't be all that dangerous. We have some friends who are pediatricians bring their kids to my house for a pox party. They preferred their kids have the spots.

 

What I am concerned about is what is going to happen in about 10 years. We know that the CP vax wears off and has to be given again every few years. At first we were told one shot was enough. Then a booster. Now another booster and how long until they need a third booster for high school?

 

What is going to happen when we have all these 30 year olds with no immunity to CP and no health insurance? A very similar thing has happened with whooping cough. My county has been in 'epidemic' mode for many years with whooping cough. The local health dept has been very clear that the people catching it are adults whose vax has worn off. I had whooping cough when my son was 6 months old. Oddly enough, he didn't get it.

 

I think in the next 10 years or so is going to become more and more common for adults to come down with CP. And then it really will be a problem.

 

I do understand why some people chose to vax against CP. Some people think it is easier on the children. Others truly can't miss the time off from work. When my kids had CP it was three days of feeling yucky and a week of letting the spots heal. It really wasn't a big deal at all. Not many children have the luxury of having a parent who is home while they get better. I know some people would go hungry if they lost that many days from work.

[bbkaren]

I would agree; riding a bike or driving in a car would probably prove to kill a whole bunch more kids than chicken pox ever will.

[gardenmom5]

I have a friend whose daughter nearly died after chicken pox. they were scrambling like crazy trying to figure out what was going on. It triggered a reaction where her white cell count was such she was being evaluated for lukemia, spinal taps and all.

 

eta: while generally chicken pox is a nuisance virus, it can be dangerous for those with compromised immune systems. It also causes problems in later life in the form of shingles. (my grandmother was in great pain from it at times.) My daughter had shingles when she was seven. A relative-who-shall-be-named-mudd knowingly exposed her at the age of 2 1/2 when she was under relative's care. ask me how happy I was. (not!)

Edited November 10, 2011 by gardenmom5

[EmilyinND]

http://moms.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/04/8638469-chickenpox-lollipops-some-moms-may-be-sending-in-mail

 

Sending these through the mail is illegal, not to mention who knows what other diseases are on those used lollipops... :tongue_smilie:

[LittleIzumi]

I think the Chicken Pox vaccine is a travesty. Parents are led to believe that it confers life-long immunity, just like acquiring the disease generally does. But now they are recommending boosters at age 5 and as a teen. Because in practice, too many kids are NOT immune. So, we have an entire generation of vaccinated kids who will grow to adulthood with sketchy immunity, and then many of them will contract chicken pox as adults, when it is a much more serious disease. Of course the "solution" then will be for adults to get the booster. But how many adults now get the MMR, pertussis, or tetanus boosters they "should" be getting? Since this is a soapbox issue of mine, I randomly ask adults all the time of they get their booster shots and the vast majority say "Adults need booster shots?"

 

Then there's the effect of the chicken pox vaccine on Shingles. Shingles is a reactivation of the Varicela virus in the body. In the past, it was far less common in healthy adults because they were frequently re-exposed to chicken pox in the children around them, and that re-exposure caused a small immune reaction in their own body that kept the varicela virus dormant. However, now because of the vaccine, folks are rarely exposed to chicken pox, their immunity is not topped up naturally, and the incidences of Shingles have gone WAY up, especially in young, healthy adults. Of course Shingles is much more painful and serious a disease than chicken pox. A dear friend of mine developed Shingles in his eye, which was excruciating for him and nearly cost him his eyesight. The solution of the medical establishment? Shingles vaccines and boosters for adults. Yeah, everyone is going to jump right on that.

 

All of this, to avoid a relatively minor childhood disease. The children who die from chicken pox do not die from chicken pox. They die from a secondary infection, usually because of being immunocompromised already. If I had a child with a condition that left him immunocompromised, I would absolutely have him immunized against chicken pox, and would follow up on his boosters and make sure he knew to continue them throughout his life. But otherwise, for my healthy children, I think the vaccine would be a disservice to them and a disservice to society.

 

I personally do not have a problem with parents choosing to expose their own children, through chicken pox parties or such. But I do wholeheartedly agree with this:

 

:iagree::iagree::iagree: One of our doctors doesn't even consider chicken pox as on the list, lol. He said if they haven't caught CP by 10-12 then we can check titers and see if they need the vax. I'm quite happy with that. The shingles epidemic is extremely worrying.

[*********]

So sorry, meant to start a new thread!

Edited November 10, 2011 by bethanyniez

[LittleIzumi]

Well, almost; she's calling me tomorrow to schedule a time, because she's all booked up but wants to fit us in.

 

Some of you may remember I've posted about Zee struggling with anxiety and OCD-like issues. And how my dh wasn't ok with seeking therapy for him. Well, I've been reading and researching, and all the while Zee's issues have been becoming more troubling. It's like he has no 'filter'vthat tells him what he needs to worry about, and what he doesn't. It's hard to explain. But it is becoming worse, and dh has acknowledged that. So dh has agreed to trying therapy, so long as I found a Christian counselor.

 

My poor boy is struggling, and it's breaking my heart. Please pray I am able to find him the help he needs.

 

I thiiiink you meant to post this somewhere else. :grouphug: still.

[LeslieAnneLevine]

I can understand the impulse, but I can certainly see why it's illegal.

 

My son is 10 and hasn't had the chicken pox. He was vaxxed in France and they don't (or didn't at the time at least) routinely vax for that.

 

I wouldn't intentionally expose my son because he has a heart issue. I worry about a possibility of complications. I am now thinking seriously of getting the vax but want to talk it over with the cardiologist first.

 

I can see all sides of this, why people vax for it, why some intentionally expose and why some (like me) wait and see.

[Ohdanigirl]

I saw this on the news a few day ago. What else will people think of. It seems like people really haven't thought this through. Plus, it's illegal. Thanks for posting.

 

Danielle

[Lolly]

Our cp story. The vax came out. Dd#1 has a medical exemption for DTP. I have three toddlerish aged kids. Our pediatrician tells me that the vaccine was really more for people who could not take off of work and stay home with their sick children for the length of time required by cp. The brochure she gives me backs this up as the main reason for the vaccine. She tells me it would be better for my dc to catch the wild virus than get the vaccine. The disease is a minor one. Better to have the certainty of the immunity. Time passes...The vaccine is now mandated...My kids have been exp or 13. I have her get the vaccine because she is now old enough to be at more risk from the disease; plus, she is going to attend a private school. No problems. First time she has had a vaccine that didn't result in pretty bad side effects. More time passes. Dd#1 is registering for college. Seems she has to have a booster for cp. Okay. No biggie. She didn't react to the first one. Not so lucky this time. Neurological reaction (muscular tic/head to shoulder), plus a swelling of the injection site that is severe (shoulder to elbow bright red, hot, and swollen). It lasts for 3 days. She will never have another vaccine. Ever. It isn't worth the risk.

 

First, vaccines are not without risks. They contain more than just the virus. For some illnesses, these risks are worth the protection the vaccine offers. Some illnesses are considered to be not as risky. Chicken pox is a virus that was considered to be on the mild side. That is it was until the vaccine became available. I wish I had a tape recording of my pediatrician when we were discussing it originally. A couple of years after that appointment, she was lecturing me on the severity and risk of the disease and why on earth I hadn't had my kids vaccinated against it yet. I also wish I had saved the brochure she gave me that visit put out by the CDC with the information about how wonderful it was that it kept parents from having to miss work. Strange how it changed, isn't it? A common cold can be deadly...

 

So, why would someone purposely expose their child to wild cp? To avoid the vaccine. I truly wish mine had been able to catch it.

[gardenmom5]

sorry. misread it. (I hate my vision problems, I swear. thunk.)

Edited November 10, 2011 by gardenmom5

[BatmansWife]

That is truly revolting. :ack2:

When my youngest two were young, and the cp vaccine was really new, we were told by the pediatrician that we really should get them both vaccinated because ds had really bad asthma. He would have breathing troubles every time he got a cold and would need nebulizer (albuterol) treatments with a machine and a mask at home. The ped said that if he had them both at the same time.....an asthma attack and the cp.....the cp would go "wild" and can be deadly. I had never heard of that before. At the time I did some research on wild cp and it was scarey.

[snowbeltmom]

 

I wish I had a tape recording of my pediatrician when we were discussing it originally. A couple of years after that appointment, she was lecturing me on the severity and risk of the disease and why on earth I hadn't had my kids vaccinated against it yet. I also wish I had saved the brochure she gave me that visit put out by the CDC with the information about how wonderful it was that it kept parents from having to miss work. Strange how it changed, isn't it? A common cold can be deadly...

 

So, why would someone purposely expose their child to wild cp? To avoid the vaccine.

I had very similar conversations to yours, but they were with different pediatricians in the same practice. The 2nd pediatrician told me that chicken pox was becoming more deadly, and that I needed to vaccinate my kids.

 

My followup statement to him was that the chicken pox virus was not becoming more deadly-it was simply that kids with immune system problems were not eligible to get the vaccine. As a result, the population that had not been vaccinated included a much higher percentage of kids who would have a much more serious reaction to the chicken pox virus.

 

He dismissed my statement as illogical, and my kids never saw him again.

[joannqn]

I think the Chicken Pox vaccine is a travesty...

 

Then there's the effect of the chicken pox vaccine on Shingles...

 

 

 

:iagree: I'm with scrappyhappy.

 

 

My family has a dilemma now. DD is almost 12 and hasn't been exposed to chicken pox. There aren't enough people catching it, making it very difficult to get exposed naturally. She's reaching the age where it becomes a more dangerous illness, but we don't wish to expose her to a vaccine that uses diploid cells either.

[ravinlunachick]

For whatever it's worth, about a month or so ago, my vaccinated kids (2 youngest ones) caught some strain of wild chickenpox and broke out in the rash anyway. It wasn't as severe as what I'd seen by googling, but it was all over their bodies. They never had fevers at all. The ped was surprised, particularly since my youngest had just had the vaccine a few months prior, so she should theoretically have had plenty of immunity. My oldest, who has only ever had one CP vax at 12 months old, never showed any symptoms whatsoever.

 

I was very nervous, as I've been exposed several times in my life but never developed a CP rash. The doctor thought I was being silly asking for preventative meds, though, so I just held my breath. Never caught it. I suspect that I may be like a previous poster's child and just be naturally immune. I've never had titers drawn for it.

[Cindy in FL.]

I think that is gross. But, if there wasn't a vaccine (which my kids got) I might be tempted to expose them to someone who had it. I contracted Chicken Pox from my oldest ds when I was in my early 20's and I was extremely ill for over a week. Fever of 105, pox in my throat, swollen lymph nodes everywhere, etc. I wouldn't want my kids to catch it as an adult.

 

Cindy

[misidawnrn]

"Send," as in, through the mail?

 

It didn't bother you to think about how many people in between your friend's house and your house would be nonconsensually exposed to a live virus?

 

That's the most horrifyingly irresponsible thing about the lollipop story, to me - that people feel entitled to put virulent material in the U.S. mail, and, apparently, the heck with your mail carrier and anyone else who works at the post office if they happen to be immunocompromised.

No, not in the mail. She put them in a zip lock bag and sent them with someone we knew who was going from her town to ours. Yes, that person knew what they were bringing.

[Mom-ninja.]

This is news worthy? Really? People exposing kids to chicken pox is not new.

[scrappyhappymama]

Sorry if I repeat anything asked already here, but is having the pox enough to be exempted from the vaccine? My husband actually had to be vaccinated when he did the visa paperwork (even though he had the chicken pox as a kid).

 

How would one even go about proving that?

 

I know in NY it's pretty hard to get out of being vaccinated unless you homeschool and even then it closes some doors to certain activities.

 

My alternative-vaxing friendly ped said there is a blood test that can be done where they can check the titers and see if there is already an immunity to chicken pox. She recommends it for teenagers that don't get the vaccine as children but haven't had a confirmed case of chicken pox, in order to determine whether they ought to get the vaccine at that point. She said it is because many children are exposed and have a mild case and develop immunity without ever being sure they had it.

 

I would presume that having a blood test that confirms natural immunity would be enough to avoid a mandatory vaccination. Of course, that also presumes common sense and so... :lol:

[snowbeltmom]

Sorry if I repeat anything asked already here, but is having the pox enough to be exempted from the vaccine? My husband actually had to be vaccinated when he did the visa paperwork (even though he had the chicken pox as a kid).

 

How would one even go about proving that?

 

If one has had the chicken pox, he is exempt from getting the vaccine (at least in my state). I took my kids in to the pediatrician to confirm their cases of chicken pox, so it is in their medical records if they ever needed to prove that they indeed did have the virus.

[littlebug42]

For my daughter, cp can have serious implications. She is vaxed but I still live in fear that someone else that doesn't think cp to be a big deal will expose her. If I don't know she has been exposed, it could be a big problem for her.

 

BTW- I had cp as a kid as an adult and shingles as an adult. They both sucked. I would not intentionally do that to my kids for any reason.

[TranquilMind]

Some people believe natural immunity is a better option than vaccine-acquired immunity.

 

Furthermore, in some states it is very difficult to say no to a single vaccine. Some states do not allow pick-and-choose vaccine waivers. Some states only allow religious or medical vaccine waivers, which won't be applicable to every family.

 

Also, if one does obtain a waiver, in many states a child will be forced to leave school for the duration of any vaccine-preventable disease outbreak against which the child is not vaccinated. I do know a local child who was sent home from school last year for 2 weeks when there was a case of chicken pox in another class.

 

My understanding is that the vaccine was originally developed not because chicken pox is dangerous, but because it causes so much parent absenteeism at work. I don't have the numbers handy, but pre-vaccine the number of days of missed work per year due to chicken pox added up to an astounding amount of lost business revenue.

Well, I wouldn't intentionally expose my kids, but it happened anyway several years ago, ironically in a high-vaccine population.

 

At any rate, natural immunity is for life. Vaccine immunity is for a few years.

 

I was totally immune myself and I've never even had chickenpox, but had grown up in the generation where everyone did, thereby acquiring lifelong immunity, which was discovered when my doctor demanded a titer, since I was well over 40.

[TranquilMind]

I had very similar conversations to yours, but they were with different pediatricians in the same practice. The 2nd pediatrician told me that chicken pox was becoming more deadly, and that I needed to vaccinate my kids.

 

My followup statement to him was that the chicken pox virus was not becoming more deadly-it was simply that kids with immune system problems were not eligible to get the vaccine. As a result, the population that had not been vaccinated included a much higher percentage of kids who would have a much more serious reaction to the chicken pox virus.

 

He dismissed my statement as illogical, and my kids never saw him again.

They are so full of it. It isn't getting any more deadly than it ever was. Geez. They think they can vaccinate away everything and look at the cost. Now we have kids who are sicker than ever, as a group, and they are getting an astounding 69 vaccinations from literally birth to age 18.

[TranquilMind]

:iagree: I'm with scrappyhappy.

 

 

My family has a dilemma now. DD is almost 12 and hasn't been exposed to chicken pox. There aren't enough people catching it, making it very difficult to get exposed naturally. She's reaching the age where it becomes a more dangerous illness, but we don't wish to expose her to a vaccine that uses diploid cells either.

She can get a blood titer. Chicken pox vaccine recipients shed live virus and infect others anyway. She may well be immune without ever having the disease. I was. One of my kids got a very light case, though the other had a bad one.

[EmilyinND]

This is news worthy? Really? People exposing kids to chicken pox is not new.

 

I think the method in which they are exposing them is what is making the news.

[9763653]

I personally wouldn't do it, but for something like chicken pox, I don't condemn it. I think the vaccine would be easier on the child, but, I'd certainly rather they have chicken pox as a child than as an adult. Many unvaccinated kids will be unprotected adults. (I'm not condemning those who don't vaccinate by the way - I realize it's controversial but at the end of the day, it's a parent's right to choose).

 

:iagree:

 

In our country, the chickenpox vaccine is not available. Both my kids have had it, and several friends with toddler came over to catch chickenpox to get it over with. Because I didn't have chickenpox as a child, I got it when my kids did. My friends' choice to bring their kids over in time was completely rational - it wasn't a nice thing to have as an adult, while looking after two poxed kids too.

[Mommyof4ks]

I would be concerned about what else they were being exposed to by licking that lollipop. What if there was hep b or something on there too. I am paranoid like that. I would not purposely expose my kids to anything, because I would feel guilty if something bad happened to them.

[Excelsior! Academy]

My vaxed 14 yo dd just got over chicken pox. There was several cases of vaxed kids getting the pox a few years ago. I'm sure it will run through our house, which I am okay with. Right now my 3 yo niece has them. Although I don't know all of her vaxed history, it is likely she wasn't. We did not purposely expose ourselves, but I'd much rather have the nautural immunity. A friend of mine who is a dr. confirmed that natural immunity is better long term.

 

That said, there is no way I would order a chickenpox lollipop off the internet. No telling what other things you could expose yourself to.