Immunizations are a hot topic in America right now, with activists on both sides clamoring to be heard. But if you have a new addition to your family, this issue stops being politicized drama and starts being a legitimate concern. If you're wary of getting your infant immunized, at offices such as Mundelein Pediatrics, then here's what you need to know.
Why do infants need immunizations?
Small children, and especially infants, are far more susceptible to communicable diseases than those in any other age group. Because of the sheer amount of people you encounter every day, it's likely that at least one of them has some kind of bug you don't want your baby getting.
How many do they need?
There are 14 immunizations that the Center for Disease Control recommends. These serious diseases (including everything from chicken pox to hepatitis B) can really hurt your child, so it's important to protect them as best you can. Some of these shots can be given as early as 1-2 months, while some have to wait until your baby 6-18 months old.
So why the controversy?
Some parents choose, for various reasons, not to immunize their baby. While this is a personal choice, it's important to carefully consider the reasons for this decision, and the consequences that follow. Political, spiritual/religious, and health reasons top the charts of why parents choose not to immunize their children, so do your research.
If you choose not to immunize your baby, there are some recommended procedures to keep your child safe and healthy, while not putting other children at risk. No matter what choice you make, it's important to do the research behind it.
Are there any side effects to immunizations?
Because a very light version of the disease is being injected into your infant when they receive the immunization, there is always a small chance that they may experience side effects--such as light symptoms of the disease. For most cases, this means a day or two of discomfort, followed by a lifelong immunity to the disease. If you're worried that the symptoms aren't natural, please go talk to your baby's doctor.
While there is the myth that vaccines cause autism, that tale is just that--a tall tale. The original study that came to that conclusion was retracted for faulty science, and in the decades after it, no one has been able to duplicate the results. Part of the confusion surrounding this myth is that signs of autism often appear around the same time that certain vaccines are recommended. However, correlation does not equal causation, and there is no data to back up this old wives' tale.
Share5 November 2014
After watching my mother navigate treatment for breast cancer in my early teens, I knew pretty much what to expect from my dad's diagnosis with prostate cancer. What I didn't know was how different chemotherapy and radiation can affect different people. My mother became very ill while my dad seemed to weather the treatments with few ill effects. I spent a long time researching the differences in treatments, types of chemotherapy, and how each one can react differently with the body. I created this blog to help others understand the same things, because I knew I couldn't be the only one unfamiliar with it. I hope it helps you if someone you love is facing treatment for any type of cancer.
