Immunizations - Medical Wonders (and Life-Savers) of the Twentieth Century
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Author: . Drew Laurusonis, M.D." href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/j.-drew-laurusonis,-m.d./302300.htm">J. Drew Laurusonis, M.D.
You love your children more than anything in the world. Theres nothing you wouldnt do to watch them grow through a happy childhood to become healthy adults. Theres no better way to show it than by getting them their immunizations on time. "Immunization" was one of the greatest accomplishments in the field of Medicine in the 20th Century. Some of you may remember as a child when polio immunizations first became available. Kids were "dropping like flies." There were heart-wrenching photos of small children in huge body-length mechanical devices known as, Iron Lungs. The patient would have their heads, arms, and legs sticking out of those large iron cylinders which chugged away like steam engines. And it wasnt just polio. Children were in the hospital for weeks and months with whooping cough (Pertussis). Measles and Rubella were leaving kids deaf or with the after-effects of encephalitis or inflammation of the brain. Other unfortunate children lost testicles from mumps and faced the possibility of sterility. Back then, we simply called them childhood illnesses," and just had no choice but to accept them. Well, fortunately, we dont have to do that anymore. When we talk about childhood immunizations, we are basically talking about 8 shots. Many have to be given more than once in order to cause the body to make enough antibodies to fight off an infection. Lets first talk about the Hepatitis B shot because it is given in the first day or so after birth. Before this shot was available, the infants almost always got the infection if the mother had it. Its that way in parts of Africa where immunization programs still lag behind. Sadly, it is almost always fatal for that infant as he or she grows older. However, now we have prevention. The Hepatitis B shot is given at birth: If the mother has Hepatitis B, the infant is given an additional shot of immune globulin. The result: Almost no Hepatitis B in infants anymore. The infant then needs to receive boosters (additional shots) at 4 weeks and 16 weeks, and the final booster at 24 weeks or a little later. Thats it: Not so difficult, is it? More importantly, is it worth it? The next illness well discuss is Rotavirus. Its a nasty, highly-contagious stomach bug that adults usually get rid of in a few days. But for infants, the vomiting and diarrhea can linger on and on, often confining them in the hospital with severe dehydration. The preventive solution: Rotavirax shots given at 6 weeks, then 4 months, then 6 months. Most importantly about this, though, is that the shots have to be started before age 15 weeks--or it doesnt work. When many of us were children, you just got chicken pox (Varicella.) It hung over your head like a sentence. Then you stayed home and rubbed Calamine lotion on the rash and took aspirin for fever (We now realize this is such a No-No!. Aspirin with viral illness in children can cause Reye's Syndrome). The problem was there could be complications like severe pneumonia or encephalitis. The solution: The patient is given a Varicella shot at age 12 months and a second dose at age 4 to 6 years. Then the child hopefully doesnt end up with shingles (Varicella zoster) ultimately when he or she gets older. We dont want a child coming down with tetanus, diphtheria, or whooping cough. So we give a combination vaccine called DTaP at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 years. There is an ugly little bacterium called Hib (Haemophilus influenza B) which used to find its way into young childrens ears and respiratory tracts--It still will without immunization. It had a tendency to be resistant to first-line antibiotics, and when it spread into meningitis, it was often a disaster. Now, we can prevent it altogether. Give an Hib shot at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 1 year. I could get down on my knees and thank the Lord for this immunization. Another bad actor is the pneumococcal bacteria which can cause a deep-seated and difficult-to-treat pneumonia. It can arrive with a vengeance right after the flu, or can complicate chronic respiratory conditions like asthma and cystic fibrosis. We now have an effective immunization for that called the pneumococcal vaccine, or PCV. It is given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 to 15 months. It protects against 26 kinds of pneumococci. Another immunization, which should be mentioned, is the annual seasonal Flu Vaccine. This is given at age 6 months and on. This year, the Swine Flu immunization is recommended for children. We never want to see polio again, as I mentioned in the first part of this article. Many of us have either known or read about someone who actually had polio and possibly never used their legs again without cumbersome braces. Now, with age, these unfortunate victims are usually confined to a wheelchair. We give inactivated polio vaccine at 2 months, 4 months, 6 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years. Fortunately, we do not see polio much anymore, but its still out there in parts of the world. Hepatitis A is a contagious virus spread by fecal-oral contamination. Its a self-limited disease usually, but why risk the misery of it? We have an immunization to be given as 2 doses between 12 and 18 months. The final vaccine I will talk about is measles, mumps and rubella MMR. The first dose is given at age 12 to 15 months with a booster at 4 to 6 years. This all sounds a bit complicated, but it doesnt have to be. Many immunizations come as a combined product, so fewer actual shots can be given. Its okay for a child to get several vaccines at once if thats what the schedule calls for. You, the parent, have to decide where the best place is for your child to get their immunizations. The usual choices are the Health Department or a busy pediatricians office. The stocks have to be carefully stored and properly rotated. You want excellent shot records for the time your child is ready for school or camp. Keep these things in mind when you are making your decision. Immunizations dont cause autism. They are usually extremely well-tolerated, and absolutely invaluable in maintaining the health and safety of your child. Teach your child the importance of them, as there will be several immunizations which will be proper for later ages in life. Best of luck...and good health. John Drew Laurusonis M.D. Doctors Medical Center
http://www.doctorsmedicalctr.comAbout the Author:
J. Drew Laurusonis, M.D. is a licensed physician in 4 states who practices Internal Medicine and Aesthetics in his urgent care center in Duluth, Georgia.
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