Chickenpox (varicella) is a common illness that causes an itchy rash and red spots or blisters (pox) all over the body. Until the release of the chickenpox vaccine in 1995, it was a common childhood infection, most commonly manifesting in children 7 to 9 years of age. Chickenpox is inconvenient,
Meningococcal disease is rare. According to the National Meningitis Association, the infection occurs in approximately 600 to 1000 persons per year in the US. Let’s use the high number: 1,000 persons per year. Put that in perspective: The current US population is around 325 million. The population incidence rate at
The holidays are upon us and for the next few weeks, everyone will be focused on shopping, wrapping, family and friends. We have just been through a brutal political election “season,” filled with strong opinions and hot emotions. Heading off to visit relatives can lead to another equally hot and
It’s interesting how a discussion about vaccination can quickly become heated and sometimes even hostile. Would the same debate rage over an antibiotic or an antihypertensive medicine if there was evidence the drug was causing harm? When it became obvious that the anti-inflammatory drug, Vioxx, had injured thousands, it was
October 1999 – Measles inclusion-body encephalitis caused by the vaccine strain of measles virus. (pdf) We report a case of measles inclusion-body encephalitis (MIBE) occurring in a previously healthy 21-month-old boy 8.5 months after MMR vaccination. A previously healthy 21-month-old boy presented to the emergency department of a community hospital in status
written by Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, DO, AOBNMM, ABHIM Pro-vaccine advocates consistently defend the three same positions: “I have seen children die from a vaccine-preventable illness.” “Vaccinated children are protected.” “Vaccinating YOU is done to keep ME from getting sick.” Let’s look at each one of these: Kids do occasionally die