WHY do parents do this???

[Shainie]

I got to our daycare today and my sitter asked if my boys have been vaccinated for Chickenpox. I knew she already knew the answer - Bronson has, but Shane is too little yet - they do it at a year.

Well the little girl there was purposely exposed, because her mom wants her to get them.

Well great! But until you know if she's going to get them, KEEP HER HOME. (I guess you're contagious 2 weeks up until you get them??)

I don't want Shane to get them. He's only 9 months old. If he was 3 or something, that'd be a different story, because he could understand not to scratch, and why he's feeling so bad.

If he does end up getting them, I'm going to be ROYALLY peed off! (Having to miss work, and just plain having to have him suffer).

Am I overreacting? She's pregnant, and wouldn't she be mad if I knowingly exposed her new baby to something?

[ShainaT]

No you are not overreacting!! Not at all! Why would her mom want her to get them? My brother and I both got them when we got them and that was that....it didn't fit into my parents schedule or anything.

Some people are just selfish and don't think of others. When I used to work full time I was amazed at how many parents hated to keep their kids home when they were sick. They hated to "waste" a sick day. Kids who are sick want to be home in their own bed.

[freesurfer]

I know alot of mothers that expose them to them on purpose. We did it when our son was little just to get it over with. And there is no real harm in purposely doing it, but I agree with keeping your child at home then. You should not be able to make that decision for all other parents out there.

[Mouse7088]

Ummmm...I would be ticked as well! Does this lady NOT know that her UNBORN child can get chicken pox???? Which BTW is VERY dangerous...
I DO know people who have purposely exposed their kids...I just could never do that...well, all three of my boys had it at the same time (within 2 days), but I couldn't really KEEP them apart from eachother..LOL! Now for someone to decide to take it upon themselves to expose MY child...uhhh...DON'T THINK SO! You have every right to be mad Shainie.


[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]
"Chicken pox
Chicken pox is caused by the varicella zoster virus. It's the same one that causes shingles in adults. (Read about "Shingles") Chicken pox usually begins with an itchy rash of small red bumps in the scalp that spreads to the back and the stomach before spreading to the face.

Chicken pox is contagious from a couple of days before the rash shows up and until all the blisters have scarred over. Almost everyone in the United States has had chicken pox; in fact, the CDC estimates that 95 percent of the population has had chicken pox and most people had it by the time they entered school.

In 1995, a vaccine was developed. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the vaccine for healthy children at 12 to 18 months of age. According to AAP, all children should have received the vaccine by their thirteenth birthdays.

Adults who have not had chicken pox should talk with their doctors. If you aren't sure if you were ever exposed, there are blood tests available to determine if you are immune or not. Chicken pox is especially dangerous in women who are pregnant."


[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]
"In many parts of the USA the vaccine is routinely used. It is thought to be cost-effective to vaccinate. This is because children miss five to seven days of school or child care, which causes social disruption. Vaccination also reduces the number of pregnant women who are exposed to chicken pox and the potential detrimental effects on them and their babies. Vaccination prevents the rare deaths in children too. So there are arguments for vaccination programmes to get rid of the disease altogether, even though in general it is a very mild infection.
In the UK, the vaccine is available from your family doctor but is not in routine use. The best time to get tested for and get immunised against chickenpox is before pregnancy. If you are not sure whether you have had chickenpox and are thinking about getting pregnant, check with your doctor about having an antibody test. If you are not immune you could choose to have the vaccine. After the full course of the vaccine you have to wait at least one month before trying to get pregnant.



How does chickenpox affect breastfeeding mothers?

Older babies are not endangered by breastfeeding from a mother with chickenpox. The antibodies passed through their mother's milk will help them fight of the infection themselves.

We do not know whether the varicella vaccine virus (see below) passes into breastmilk. Although most medicines pass into breastmilk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breastfeeding. Mothers who receive this vaccine and are breastfeeding should discuss this with their doctor.



What effects does chickenpox have on the unborn child?

Remember chickenpox in pregnancy is very rare. In 1993 it was estimated that about three in 1,000 pregnant women in the UK caught chickenpox. Infection during the first three months of pregnancy carries a low risk of damage to the foetus (less than 0.5% risk). Infection during the second trimester carries the highest risk (2% risk). Mothers who become ill during the third trimester produce antibodies that cross the placenta and protect the baby. It may be that foetal deaths are due to maternal fever rather than direct infection.
There is a much lower risk of damage to the unborn baby due to chickenpox than rubella (German measles), which causes damage to about 85% of babies whose mothers are infected during pregnancy.

Where a mother contracts chickenpox, the result may be miscarriage or the baby may develop 'congenital varicella syndrome'. Here the baby has malformations like those caused by German measles. These may be brain damage, birth defects involving the arms and legs, digestive or genito-urinary problems, eye infections, scarring of the skin, or poor growth.



What effects does chickenpox have on newborn babies?

If the mother contracts chickenpox seven days before she gives birth or within 28 days after birth, there is a risk of the baby contracting neonatal chickenpox, which can have serious consequences. Some studies have estimated mortality rates to be as high as 20%-30% in babies who contract chickenpox within a few days of birth.



The effects of chickenpox on the pregnant mother

Chickenpox is considerably more serious in adults than children. Only 2% of cases occur in people over 20, but these account for 25% of the deaths from chickenpox. In pregnant women the disease is particularly severe. This is because your hormone levels are up and your immune system is less active. A few mothers (about 10%) who contract chickenpox have chest and breathing
complications (pneumonia). Of these mothers, about 40% die. Infection or suspected infection should be taken very seriously. Medical advice is that women should take Aciclovir immediately to minimise risks of respiratory infection. The drug must be used with caution for pregnant or breastfeeding women, so it is important to ensure that your symptoms are chickenpox."


__________________

Check out these [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now], or go directly to [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] EXP: 05.12.2003
Save 10% off of your purchase at Art.com with coupon code C120277055014.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

[NaomiMarie]

I HAD Chicken Pox while pregnant with Steven. FORTUNATELY, it was during my last trimester (I was about 8 months along at the time).
I developed some 'red bumps' on my very-pregnant belly. Went to the OBGYN and was IMMEDIATELY referred to a Dermatologist. They got on the phone and told them I was on my way (I was seen in less than 15 minutes, they were right down the street).
Lucky for me, my mom happen to be with me

Dr. did a biopsy of the sores on my belly (poor mom had to look away), confirmed that it was indeed chicken pox

It gets worse.........I also developed shingles (OMG, talk about PAIN!!!!)
Not much I could take either.......just Benadryl (small dose)
We were just crossing our fingers that I wouldn't deliver early, Charlie wouldn't have been able to be there (he had never had chicken pox) plus the baby (Steven) wouldn't have been able to be in the 'regular' nursery. He would've had to be quarantined

Fortunately, everything cleared up before D-Day


__________________

[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

[rualakin]

Recently, we had a few cases at our local elementary school. I did not worry myself as my children have been vaccinated and hubby and I have had them. However, one of our teachers and his new baby got them!!
This is no laughing matter. As far as "childhood illnesses" go, chickenpox is a rather "mild" illness. However, having had them and watching my neices and nephews suffer the itching and the fevers, I wonder why anyone would intentionally expose their children. My mom exposed all of us, but back in "those days" there was no vaccine. If a person wants their child exposed, fine, but certainly do not expose all the children in the neighborhood, daycare or school!!!!!! AAAUUURRRGGHHH!!!!!!

rual


__________________

[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

[doglover22]

A lot of parents will intentionally expose their child because they do not want their child to have the vaccine. My daughter will be four in July and I have not had her get the vaccine. Unfortunately, in Texas we do not have a philosophical exemption for vaccines, so she will probably have to get the shot before she starts school.

If I ever had the opportunity to expose her to chicken pox naturally, I would make sure that she was kept at home. Of course, this is much easier for me since I am a stay at home mom.


__________________

Check out these [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now], or go directly to [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] EXP: 05.12.2003
Save 10% off of your purchase at Art.com with coupon code C120277055014.

[Shainie]

I completely understand if a parent wants to do this for THEIR child. (I've even heard of people having Chicken Pox parties!) But when they put MY child at risk knowingly - that's when I have the problem.


__________________

Check out these [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now], or go directly to [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] EXP: 05.12.2003
Save 10% off of your purchase at Art.com with coupon code C120277055014.

[mayfly]

I had no idea that you could catch it before the sores showed up! WOW!

[marygreene]

They are contagious before the sores appear, but only about a day before. It is a 2 week incubation period, but you are not contagious throughout the whole 2 weeks.

[doglover22]

Originally posted by Shainie
I completely understand if a parent wants to do this for THEIR child. (I've even heard of people having Chicken Pox parties!) But when they put MY child at risk knowingly - that's when I have the problem.


__________________

Check out these [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now], or go directly to [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] EXP: 05.12.2003
Save 10% off of your purchase at Art.com with coupon code C120277055014.

I agree with you completly. Exposing other people's children without their permission is not something I agree with.

[mkred]

I agree that parents who want their children to get chicken pox rather than take the vaccine should keep them away from childcare facilities if they believe they have been exposed. We were faced with a similiar dilemma this past year. We had chose not to vaccinate our daughter but when I decided to work part time on a regular basis and could not afford to miss 2 weeks of work if and when she got sick, we had her vaccinated. We never sought out someone who had chicken pox. We were just waiting for her to get it naturally. Why? because the vaccine needs boosters and we would make sure she got it as a child or a teen but were uncertain of whether or not she would remember to take care of it (or be able to) as an adult. We were concerned for her and a possible future grandchild if she did not keep her vaccination up to date and got chicken pox while pregnant.


__________________

Check out these [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now], or go directly to [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] EXP: 05.12.2003
Save 10% off of your purchase at Art.com with coupon code C120277055014.

[freesurfer]

Originally posted by Shainie
I completely understand if a parent wants to do this for THEIR child. (I've even heard of people having Chicken Pox parties!) But when they put MY child at risk knowingly - that's when I have the problem.


__________________

Check out these [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now], or go directly to [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] EXP: 05.12.2003
Save 10% off of your purchase at Art.com with coupon code C120277055014.

I agree 100%!!

[billsmrs]

That is AWFUL!!!!! I would be VERY ticked too!! And this lady evidently isn't to smart or else she would know that being pregnant poses risks when exposed to chicken pox.

I hope you made a complaint to the daycare administration. This is not something they need to fool around with. Especially for little babies there and not to mention any children who may have a immune system problem.


__________________

Check out these [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now], or go directly to [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] EXP: 05.12.2003
Save 10% off of your purchase at Art.com with coupon code C120277055014.

[aprilgail]

It really annoys me to hear that people would intentionally expose their child to an illness. People seem to think that the Chicken Pox are a harmless childhood illness...that is not true..it can cause hospitalization and even death, why in the world would any parent want to take this gamble with their childs life????

"Chickenpox, often thought of as an annoying, but relatively benign childhood illness, too often may lead to hospitalization or even death, researchers reported today at the 31st National Immunization Conference sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control National Immunization Program. The reports follow an alert on Varicella (chickenpox) Mortality in the May 16 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

Surveillance Data
"Data from active surveillance sites in the United States indicate that chickenpox is still actively occurring in these communities," said Dr. Jane Seward, CDC epidemiologist. "One of the challenges facing public health professionals is to educate the public and health-care providers that chickenpox is not an entirely benign disease. There are approximately 100 deaths and 9,300 hospitalizations due to complications of chickenpox each year. The majority of these deaths and complications occur in previously healthy individuals, and should be preventable by vaccination," Dr. Seward said. Chickenpox can be complicated by a variety of serious conditions including skin infections which can progress to blood borne infections, infections of the brain which may result in disability, and serious pneumonia. In rare incidences, these complications can progress to death.

Because chickenpox is one of the most contagious infectious diseases in the U.S. with approximately 4 million cases a year, there are challenges to establishing surveillance programs. The CDC commissioned three community- based surveillance programs to more accurately monitor the incidence, complications, and prevention of chickenpox. Programs are underway in Philadelphia; Austin, Texas; and Los Angeles. Among the key findings to date:

In an inner-city population in west Philadelphia, the hospitalization rate for complications of chickenpox was seven times greater than predicted using the estimated national incidence rate of 9,300 hospitalizations per year.


In Austin, Texas, the incidence of chickenpox has substantially declined since the licensure of the vaccine to prevent chickenpox in 1995. The decrease in chickenpox incidence was most significant (63 percent decrease) in preschool-age children where there has been widespread immunization efforts in the private sector among daycare attendees."