Ever Been to a Chicken Pox Party?
There’s an old-fashioned revival going on in many homes today, a throwback to years gone by, and some critics don’t think it’s necessarily a good thing. It’s an old-fashioned chicken pox party! You know the drill, a child comes down with the chicken pox, the mother calls all her friends and neighbors to invite them, and their children to her home, hoping that once exposed, they too will contract the disease.
Why would anyone accept that kind of invitation?
Many parents today, concerned about the over-utilization of vaccines for which long-term effects are still largely unknown, are choosing to immunize their children through exposure. And while many in the medical field warn of the dangers, these parents believe that the natural immunity to be gained from actually contracting the disease far outweighs any potential for real harm from the disease itself.
While medical experts cite the risk of serious complications, including death, from chicken pox, many parents are willing to accept the risks in order to have their children develop healthier immune systems. Generally, the potential for serious complications increases with age, which is why so many parents are exposing their toddlers through “chicken pox parties.”
Despite the risks, an increasing number of parents are flexing their “personal choice” muscles and “just saying no” to one more vaccine that they feel is unnecessary. In fact, the idea of “chicken pox parties” is so popular that an Internet search of the term brings up more than a million results! One thing’s for sure, the chicken pox vaccine is definitely controversial and these parties are proof!
In our office, we believe that parents make informed choices about their children’s health care. Questions? Please discuss your concerns with us on your next visit. We’re here to help!
Dr. Jason Asks...