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For the majority of people, chicken pox has always been considered a rite of childhood passage. Many still assume that children will certainly contract the highly contagious virus, spontaneously recover, and carry on without any complications. For the most part, this is true. However, since 1995 a vaccine has been available that can change all of that. We no longer need to assume that our children will come down with the itchy, bothersome and unsightly skin illness. Instead, we can protect them with a highly effective vaccination. As a matter of fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control recommend that most children be immunized against childhood chicken pox.
OUR KIDS RECEIVE SO MANY SHOTS AS IT IS. WHY DO WE HAVE TO ADD YET ANOTHER ONE?
Currently, only seven states require the vaccine for school admittance. Unless you live in one of these states, having your child inoculated is totally up to you. Carefully weigh the evidence and talk to your doctor. Then, you can decide what is best for you or your child.
SINCE CHICKEN POX IS SO COMMONPLACE, WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER THE VACCINATION?
Though chicken pox are thought of as "routine," it isn't without its own risks. For example, approximately 9000 people are hospitalized every year because of complications from chicken pox. This translates into millions of dollars worth of lost revenue from missed work and school. Remember, when a child is contagious and is home from school, an adult must stay home from work to care for him.
BUT, PEOPLE DO ULTIMATELY RECOVER FROM CHICKEN POX. I'M STILL NOT CONVINCED.
It is true that most people don't suffer from complications. Thankfully, most cases are mild and clear up without any lasting damage. However, nearly 100 people die ever year as a result of chicken pox. With the vaccine, these deaths are preventable.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMPLICATIONS FROM CHICKEN POX?
. Bacterial infection of the skin—this ranges from skin lesions to painful impetigo.
. Pneumonia
. Encephalitis—A serious inflammation of the brain that can lead to death.
. Ryes syndrome
. Streptococcus A
. Hepatitis or liver inflammation
HOW ABOUT THE VACCINE? ARE THERE ANY NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS FROM THAT?
If side effects do occur, they are usually very minimal. The most frequent are:
. Soreness or swelling at the injection site
. Fatigue
. Nausea
. Fever
. Fussiness in babies
. Possible rash or mild chicken pox-like eruptions
IS IT 100% EFFECTIVE?
Not totally, but its effectiveness is very impressive. The Varicella vaccine prevents nearly 100% of severe chicken pox—the cases that would most likely lead to complications or death. It also prevents nearly 85% of the milder form of chicken pox. Remember, if your child is vaccinated against chicken pox and does happen to catch the illness, he or she will have an extremely mild case and will quickly recover.
AT WHAT AGE IS THE SHOT GIVEN?
It is given to anyone over twelve months of age. Children under thirteen are given a single injection. Older patients and adults will receive two injections each given a month apart. Immunity is projected to last for life.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO SHOULD NOT RECEIVE THE VACCINATION?
Yes. Anyone who has a compromised immune system or who is pregnant, lactating, or is suffering from a fever should not receive it. Also, those with a severe allergy to gelatin or neomycin should not take it.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO DEFINITELY DOES NEED THE VACCINATION?
Yes. Doctors recommend that anyone over the age of ten who has not had the chicken pox does need to be immunized. The reason: Teenagers and adults are more likely to suffer from a severe form of the illness and may encounter the serious and sometimes life-threatening complications.
POSSIBLE EXTRA BENEFIT OF THE CHICKEN POX VACCINE
Though it is probably too early to be certain, many experts believe that those individuals who receive the chicken pox vaccine may also receive immunity from shingles, too. The herpes zoster virus causes shingles. It is the same virus that causes chicken pox. Once an individual is exposed to chicken pox, the virus lies dormant. It can reactivate later in life and the sufferer comes down with the condition known as shingles.
Shingles are red, pus-filled eruptions like chicken pox, but more severe in nature. Usually, extreme pain accompanies the blisters. This pain has been known to last months or even years after the lesions have disappeared. Because of the debilitating nature of this illness, avoiding chicken pox is desirable. Keep in mind, more than one out of ten people who catch chicken pox will later come down with shingles.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The chicken pox vaccination is very safe and very effective. It is just one more step in the process of avoiding the most common childhood illnesses.
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