vaccinate your kids, or else!!

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

MysticCat,

Does your son have any "odd outcomes to illnesses" that you would normally write-off because he is a kid? For example, you said allergies and post nasal drip? How often does he gets these sniffles and to what, specifically, i.e. dust, molds, dog hair or odd things like "fresh tomatoes" or "celery"?

I have not read or studied much research on odd allergies, but I am seeing more children having these kinds of allergies.

None that I can think of -- the sniffles are usually seasonal, and when others in the house have them as well. But again, you've given me something to keep an eye out for.

Originally Posted by BigRedBeta

No offense to anyone here, but in my humble, yet growing medical opinion, there is (other than religious) ABSOLUTELY no reason not to vaccinate your children on schedule. I say this as current medical student and future pediatrician.

No offense to a current medical student and future pediatrician, but you'll find that many parents, due to their less-than-positive interactions with medical professionals, are convinced either that the research hasn't caught up yet or that medical professionals have tunnel vision and are unwilling to (I can't believe I'm about to say this) think outside the box. Even I feel that way at times, and you can't find many people more willing to go along with conventional medical practice than me.

Too many parents with kids on the spectrum (why anyone would want that for their kids is beyond me) have dealt with pediatricians who don't really understand what autism is to begin with. I can tell you that many of these parents have not found the medical profession to be helpful in understanding and helping their children. (That is not my experience, but it is the experience of many other parents.)

Originally Posted by ISUKappa

Again in my humble opinion as a parent, the best thing you can do as a future pediatrician is continue your research and allow yourself an open conversation with your patients parents.

I agree completely. The only thing I would add is to keep up with the research, which is always evolving, and don't write off what the parents are telling you they are experiencing and seeing when it doesn't match up with the research.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

None that I can think of -- the sniffles are usually seasonal, and when others in the house have them as well. But again, you've given me something to keep an eye out for.

They have to be extremely ODD kinds of allergies or a complete inability to "throw off" the "sniffles" outside of anyone else or something like being 16 years old and still having 103+ degree temperatures and no "confounders", like "hemorrhagic fever" or "yellow/dengue fever"--which is a very real possibility to come back into the US because of global warming...

If your son is mildly autistic, he MIGHT grow out of it. The issue is autism does not have OVERT slide pathology. So, it barely can be detected by MRI even with "bubble" technology... As you are aware, it is only by psych eval tests and learning tests.

One thing I do remember from my training is how music "gets" to their thought processes... So, when you all do have difficulty, start singing and playing music.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

One thing I do remember from my training is how music "gets" to their thought processes... So, when you all do have difficulty, start singing and playing music.

He's just lucky his daddy's a Sinfonian.

I remember when I was studying Music Therapy - autism was a HUGE part of our clientel. I had two autistic kids as clients, and it took them 4 weeks to learn my name, but 3 months later, I had them singing "Jamaican Farewell" and playing the ukelelis with it.

[alum]

Are pediatricians subject to malpractice insurance premium increases if they accept patients who delay or refuse vaccinations?

Can a physician refuse to accept patients whose parents are not willing to vax on the APA recommended schedule?

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by alum

Are pediatricians subject to malpractice insurance premium increases if they accept patients who delay or refuse vaccinations?

Can a physician refuse to accept patients whose parents are not willing to vax on the APA recommended schedule?

I can't speak on that, but I do believe if the pediatrician is not willing to at least work with the parents, the parents should find a new doctor who is willing to work with them. It goes both ways, IMO.

Again, I'm not advocating against vaccinations entirely, I just don't necessarily agree with absolutely having to vax on schedule. And I believe a parent should have the right to delay if they so choose. But, children should be up-to-date on vaxes by the time their child reaches school age.

[nikki1920]

I worked with kids who were on the spectrum (high and low functioning) and some parents were willing to do what ever it took to get a Social Security disability check (now $623, up to $637 Jan. 1) for their child. That's a lot of money to most people. That entitles them to "free" medical coverage, and other things. It's disheartening. I see this a lot at work.

I think some parents AND medical professionals are quick to discount the others' perspective. Each side has to give credit to the other when appropriate. Did anyone see the Oprah show where she discussed Autism? That was very good, very balanced to both sides. The doctors may know what they've studied and their patients, but as a parent EYE (for emphasis) know my child better than her doctor and I am responsible for advocating for them. My doctor should be on the same side as I am, not working against me.

Someone said earlier something about the varicella vaccine? I debated on getting that for my child, since I had a BAD case of it when I was younger, but apparently the strain has changed and children were developing serious complications from it. She ended up getting the vaccine.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by nikki1920

I worked with kids who were on the spectrum (high and low functioning) and some parents were willing to do what ever it took to get a Social Security disability check (now $623, up to $637 Jan. 1) for their child. That's a lot of money to most people. That entitles them to "free" medical coverage, and other things. It's disheartening. I see this a lot at work.

Wow. Just wow. That never even occurred to me -- which I'm glad of.

I think some parents AND medical professionals are quick to discount the others' perspective. Each side has to give credit to the other when appropriate.

I agree completely. The key is finding a pediatrician you are comfortable with so that you can work together as a team.

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by nikki1920

Someone said earlier something about the varicella vaccine? I debated on getting that for my child, since I had a BAD case of it when I was younger, but apparently the strain has changed and children were developing serious complications from it. She ended up getting the vaccine.

That was me. From what I've read (and garnered from talking to other parents), the Varicella vax "wears off" so to speak after about 10 years, so the child either has to get a booster (not an impossibility, just aggravating) or worry about catching chicken pox as a teen/adult where the symptoms and complications associated with the disease can be more severe.

But, by catching chicken pox naturally at a young age where the symptoms and complications are less severe, the body is more or less immune for the rest of their life.

Again, that's my understanding.

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by ISUKappa

But, by catching chicken pox naturally at a young age where the symptoms and complications are less severe, the body is more or less immune for the rest of their life.

Again, that's my understanding.

I was always told that you can only get chicken pox once; However once you have chicken pox, the virus stays in your body and you can get shingles.

So as I understand it, the vaccine prevents chicken pox and you can't get shingles without having had the chicken pox first. (so it sort-of prevents two things).

Hope this makes sense.

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

I was always told that you can only get chicken pox once; However once you have chicken pox, the virus stays in your body and you can get shingles.

So as I understand it, the vaccine prevents chicken pox and you can't get shingles without having had the chicken pox first. (so it sort-of prevents two things).

Hope this makes sense.

I know and understand both of those points. However, the varicella vaccine does not provide lifetime immunity. Only actually having the chicken pox gives you that (though mild cases may not). One would have to continue getting chicken pox boosters throughout their lifetime, or until a lifetime vax is created.

Shingles usually manifests itself in the elderly (usually) and there is currently a shingles vax for that demographic. Shingles, while extremely painful, does not necessarily pose the same threats actually catching chicken pox as an adult does.

[APhi Sailorgirl]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

I was always told that you can only get chicken pox once; However once you have chicken pox, the virus stays in your body and you can get shingles.

So as I understand it, the vaccine prevents chicken pox and you can't get shingles without having had the chicken pox first. (so it sort-of prevents two things).

Hope this makes sense.

As someone who is only 25 and had chicken pox at 4 and then shingles at 16, I'm curious how the vaccine will affect shingles. I got shingles after being re-exposed to chicken pox. Since my case of chicken pox was mild, I did not have enough antibodies to fight it the second time, hence shingles.

I don't know if the vaccine could have the same effect, esp if it is not a lifetime vaccine. People down the line could end up with shingles if re-exposed to chicken pox.

And while shingles isn't as bad as chicken pox with side effects, it isn't any easier and the nerve pains leading up to the breakout made me think I was crazy b/c we couldn't pinpoint the cause of the problem until the rash appeared.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by APhi Sailorgirl

As someone who is only 25 and had chicken pox at 4 and then shingles at 16, I'm curious how the vaccine will affect shingles. I got shingles after being re-exposed to chicken pox. Since my case of chicken pox was mild, I did not have enough antibodies to fight it the second time, hence shingles.

I don't know if the vaccine could have the same effect, esp if it is not a lifetime vaccine. People down the line could end up with shingles if re-exposed to chicken pox.

And while shingles isn't as bad as chicken pox with side effects, it isn't any easier and the nerve pains leading up to the breakout made me think I was crazy b/c we couldn't pinpoint the cause of the problem until the rash appeared.

Goto the CDC to get the references.

Both viruses are alpha herpes simplex viruses. They are double stranded DNA viruses. There are several strains. You may have gotten different strains and you got similar symptoms, however few different ones.

Your doctors could be more astute... That is why you need to EDUCATE YOURSELF and KNOW your body... You ultimately have to be on top of your health of yourself. Come in with measurements--like how high and long was your body temperature... I know crazy, but that's how I got treatment for hypertension...

[nikki1920]

Ah ha.
I got it when I was 6 (spent my first spring break EVER sick with chicken pox), and thought my immunity to it passed naturally to my daughter. Maybe not. I didnt' see what the big deal was for her to get chicken pox. I had no idea that the vaccine wore off.

MystiCat: yes. It's true. ANY delay, and parents are in the office trying to get Medicaid. OR they go to the Social Security office and get the child tested and labled, get the check, and are back in here for referrals, housing assistance, food stamps, etc. The ones who generally need it (I had client who had one child who was born without eyes, for example) don't think about Social Security, but the ones who want a check (like the one who doesn't interact with her child at all and calls her stupid, slow and dumb) are quick to go to Social Security.

*sigh*
licensing for parents is becoming more and more necessary...

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by nikki1920

.

*sigh*
licensing for parents is becoming more and more necessary...

>>Insert my "everyone should be sterilized at birth and get unsterilized after parenting classes and a licencing exam" rant here<<

[Pope]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

>>Insert my "everyone should be sterilized at birth and get unsterilized after parenting classes and a licencing exam" rant here<<

Or, abstinence until married (and of course, it is necessary to be counseled before the marriage, just to be sure that both parties are up for the challenge, including the challenge of parenting).