Childhood vaccines

[Riso-chan]

I was just recently having a conversation about this subject with my Mom today. I suppose I will share my knowledge on this so far.

I know recently that a large percentage of the mercury preservatives that were used in the vaccines have been reduced some, but to what extent I'm unsure. I know that one factor in some cases involving autism, that the child had been given over 30 shots within just a few months. 20 or so years ago, they used to give longer time periods in between the shots, therefore allowing the body to adapt to the load on the body. I believe it is more than likely a good practice to give time between each shot so the child's system can recooperate and be ready for the next. These preservatives can become toxic at certain levels, and if you allow more time for he body to deal with small amounts at a time that it should give better chances for avoiding any health related issues. I could be wrong but it is just my guess from what I've heard.

Another thing I've heard about that upsets me is that while we here in this country have a lessened amount of this compound in the vaccines here, in our aid efforts in China and Africa, we are giving vaccines with those same components that are banned here in the states. It's as if we are saying we think we're more valuable than other lives overseas! That kind of arrogance is a big pet peeve of mine. And recently, both in Africa and China, the number of autism cases have increased. China supposedly had a pretty low rate autism occurances, in Africa I'm not sure, but it wasn't as bad as it is here.

I honestly don't know if these incidents are all tied together, but it is quite scary how similar they are. Also, it may not just be the vaccines we're getting, think of all the additives and preservatives in our foods and drinks. Our health has alot to do with that as well. I hate to scare anyone, but the stuff they legally put in what we consume everyday is possibly the root cause of many arising problems that we've never seen before.

I am getting to a point now where I'm no longer surprised with what this government does to its people. Take a look at other countries, some get more affordable healthcare, and better quality foods. While they may never be the states you grew up in, still you've got to admit there's something there that we're missing. I better go before I scare someone.... :

 

[mishi8]

Personally, I had all my shots, and if I had any children, they'd have theirs, too...it's just one of those things that you ordinarily do.

But that isn't thinking for yourself, it's just following the herd. If you did the reading first, and then came to the conclusion of vaccinating, then at least you know your making the best decision for your family based on education.

Besides, I'm fully vaccinated. Vaccinations have changed a lot since then. Small Pox vaccine is no longer given. And there are way more vaccines now than ever...all given to tiny babies or 1 year olds...and more than one at once. And some of those vaccinations really haven't been on the market all that long. One (Rotavirus vaccine) was even given to newborns in 1998 and then suddenly pulled from the market because it was causing health problems.

I was suggesting that, if she is so concerned about the possible side effects, that she at least get her kid the shots for the most serious of diseases. ...I didn't know they even had a chicken pox vaccination.
In the end, it's still her choice, and I was just attempting to offer a possible compromise to the situation.

That's fine, but there are varying degrees of seriousness based on individual risk. Again, you need to research to figure out what is and isn't safe or necessary.

 

[mishi8]

Well, I'm sure they'll be fine. Most of us had it as kids and survived without complications. One thing that does suck though is that it can reactivate itself as shingles when you're an adult and that's not fun at all.

The current vaccine is only 40% effective against preventing chicken pox. It isn't necessarly protective against shingles, and booster shots may be needed down the road. Shingles is also 100% treatable if caught early enough.

 

[mishi8]

No, Mishi8 I really don't want to go there. The point I was trying to make though is that I think when it come to your children you should always find out as much info as you can instead of blindly trusting society, doctors, how things were done 20 years ago, etc. Most people I know never question their doctors or anyone else. They do this that and the other because that's what everyone else does. That's really all I was saying because especially in the U.S. most people do it and never ask why.

Modern medicine certainly doesn't have all the answers, and North American society isn't the best example of healthy families and parenting. The rate of infant deaths in North America certainly doesn't correspond with how "perfect" the system is supposed to be. Plus, the growing trend towards alternative healthcare really speaks to how lacking modern medicine really is.

 

[mishi8]

I honestly don't know if these incidents are all tied together, but it is quite scary how similar they are. Also, it may not just be the vaccines we're getting, think of all the additives and preservatives in our foods and drinks. Our health has alot to do with that as well. I hate to scare anyone, but the stuff they legally put in what we consume everyday is possibly the root cause of many arising problems that we've never seen before.

I am getting to a point now where I'm no longer surprised with what this government does to its people. Take a look at other countries, some get more affordable healthcare, and better quality foods. While they may never be the states you grew up in, still you've got to admit there's something there that we're missing. I better go before I scare someone.... :

It's also shocking how much pollution is pumped into our air. No wonder asthma rates are rising. And what of pesticides, herbicides, etc? It's scary the stuff we breath in and consume. Now consider the effects the same pollution, poison, preservatives and additives have on a child's body and health.

 

[Lila]

Sorry, I didn't read everything but did notice some comments.

Shots/Autism...one of the concerns, when my son was younger, was that they were given too many shots in one visit. Four-six of them. If that concern has changed to a longer (Or shorter) period of time, I'm not aware of it. (Shameful, I know.)

Chicken Pox: I believe in most cases, the deaths were caused when the parents didn't take their kids to the doctors, or took them in too late. It wasn't because they didn't get the shot.

I will admit that I've not allowed my children to get Prevnar( I think that's what it's called). Something with that one doesn't sit well with me.

And nursie...here in this state, if you opt to not give your child vaccinations, you can still send them to school. You've just got to fill out some official forms about it. My neices and nephews go to public school and they don't have the shots.

Lila

 

[Lila]

Autism

I saw Calico's comment about people wanting to blame something other than genes on their child being autistic. And the smilie at the end of the statement adds a bit of 'stupid people' to that.

I know many comments have been made since then about autism/shots. So I'll just say my thing here.

I wasn't aware of the shot connection possibility until some time after my son was diagnosed. As for genes... No one in my family is autistic. We looked farther down the tree but were put to a stop at my grandfather... I dont' knwo anything about my real grandfather. My husband's side has some other disabilities. There are other factors that lead into autism... I was asked what my father's profession is, if anyone in my family was really good at math and so on.

It's amazing that factors such as that could lead one of your children being autistic.

The talk about the shots reached my ears two years after my son's diagnosis. I looked into it and am not quite sure what I think of it. But like I said, my son was moving along fine in his development, then suddenly went downhill. Was it the shots? Or did something in his brain chemical suddenly change and he regressed? I don't know if shots cause autism, but I think they may attribute to degree of it.

I thank God my son isn't too bad. I can't imagine going through what I've seen other people go through with children of lower function.

In other words, I really didn't care for that comment.

Lila

 

[ash]

I don't blame you- plus I think it's kind of an odd conclusion to reach, really. I think most parents would rest easier knowing that genetics were to blame. But uncovering the roots of autism is not about assigning blame anyway. I think examining the link between vaccines and autism is a very brave thing to do, and as valid and worthwhile as examining any other source of this disease.

 

[Larissa]

Chicken Pox: I believe in most cases, the deaths were caused when the parents didn't take their kids to the doctors, or took them in too late. It wasn't because they didn't get the shot.(Lila Boffins)

I didn't mean it necessarily in that context. My son caught the flu and almost died because not everyone can fight stuff off so easily. I was extremely sick when I had chicken pox and I was six years old. I know other people who just itched from the pox. I took my son to the E.R. and was sent back home. I took him back up there and just as they were going to discharge us he stopped breathing. I've heard of other scenarios very similar to mine where the child actually died of pneumonia, etc. very recently and these children were under the care of doctors. As for the autism thing, it's my understanding that no one actually knows what causes it and I don't believe that there is as much research being done on it as there should be. I will say this though, my son has an undiagnosed medical condition and we have seen genetic doctors in Texas and Oklahoma. I've also done a lot reading on different medical conditions and most stuff says that just because no one else in your family has whatever, doesn't mean it's not genetic. As for the autism/ vaccine link, I have no doubt that more research needs to be done on the subject. I do know that many vaccines have been changed because of concerns such as DTP being changed to DTaP and the live polio vaccine being changed to IPV. As for what someone else said about chemicals in the air and in food, I think there could be something there. I've read that red food dye has been linked to hyperactivity, cancer, etc. So maybe this thread should be about the possible dangers of red Kool-Aid.

 

[Lila]

Larissa, I was just making a statement about chicken pox and deaths. It was not to anyone directly. I'm glad to hear your son is doing well.

When going over family members to see where the genetics could have come from, as I said, it's amazing what can link to an autistic child. My father is an engineer, my brother a tax accountant, another brother that is incredibly intelligent with numbers and electronics, my husband is excellent with numbers and so on...traits as these can attribute to autism.

On my husbands' side he has cousins that have mental disorders, though none are autistic. On my side, I have a nephew that is a true case of ADHD. All of this may attribute to it as well. And as I said, I have a grandfather that is completely unknown to me, perhaps there's something down his line.

But I still have that slight wonder if immunity shots played a part as well. That thought will always linger there.

It doesn't really matter to me now, but if it is ever officially linked to autism, something should be done to prevent it from happening. Right now, I've just got to do for my son what I've got to do. That's all that matters.

Not too long ago, I read a report in which doctors said that induced labor was causing autism. My last born was the only one I was induced with, and he's not autistic...as far as I know.