Before the age of modern medicine, infections outbreaks were commonand often resulted in death or disability. People lived in unsanitary conditions, where germs spread easily. No one knew how to prevent, much less treat these disease.
Today, in addition to effective antibiotics, we have the advantage of vaccines, a scientific discovery that has saved millions of lives. Yet, some parents remain skeptical, leaving their children to pay the deadly price.
Today, in addition to effective antibiotics, we have the advantage of vaccines, a scientific discovery that has saved millions of lives. Yet, some parents remain skeptical, leaving their children to pay the deadly price.
Your child’s body is designed to produce cells and antibodies that can combat viruses and bacteria. An attack by these viruses or bacteria will produce a complex immunological “memory”, which is what gives your child immunity against future invasions by the same germs. However, there are certain types of germs that the body cannot protect itself against, without the help of vaccines. These germs include bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB),diptheria,pertussis,tetanus and meningitis,as well as viruses that cause hepatitis,polio,measeles,mumps,rubella and chickenpox.
Without vaccination,these germs could wreak havoc on your child’s body,causing disability,even death.
There are currently,even death, vaccines recommended to protect ypur child. Your child will receive his first vaccination at birth, and should continue receiving all the other doses of these vaccines, following the recommended schedule.
The latest addition to the schedule, Haemophilus Influenza type b(Hib), introduced in 2002, should prevent severe disease like pneumonia and meningitis caused by this bacteria.
Apart from mandatory vaccines are also available to protect him against other disease, such as chicken fox, hepatitis A, Japanese encephalitis (JE), typhoid, and influenza.
There are also vaccines against specific organism like the pneumococus (a bacteria) and rotavirus (a virus that causes diarrhea). In addition , canver-preventing vaccines like human papilomavirus (HPV) vaccine for young adults are now making their marl.
There are also some parents who do not take their children for vaccinations. Some hold fast to misconceptions, while others merely make excuces.
The Malaysian Pediatric Association (MPA) takes a look at some of the common beliefs.
Belief No.1 : These diseases don’t even occur anymore.
Fact : Bacteria and viruses have survived alongside generations of humans. Some of these germs prevail in less than hygienic conditions.
Your child is still at risk of contracting these infectious diseases from other people and from the environment. Tubercolosis or TB is seeing a resurgence brought in mainly by migrant workers, polio was brought to West Java from Nigeria via Yemen and Saudi Arabia in 2005 and we still have sporadic measkes outbreaks.
The latest addition to the schedule, Haemophilus Influenza type b(Hib), introduced in 2002, should prevent severe disease like pneumonia and meningitis caused by this bacteria.
Apart from mandatory vaccines are also available to protect him against other disease, such as chicken fox, hepatitis A, Japanese encephalitis (JE), typhoid, and influenza.
There are also vaccines against specific organism like the pneumococus (a bacteria) and rotavirus (a virus that causes diarrhea). In addition , canver-preventing vaccines like human papilomavirus (HPV) vaccine for young adults are now making their marl.
There are also some parents who do not take their children for vaccinations. Some hold fast to misconceptions, while others merely make excuces.
The Malaysian Pediatric Association (MPA) takes a look at some of the common beliefs.
Belief No.1 : These diseases don’t even occur anymore.
Fact : Bacteria and viruses have survived alongside generations of humans. Some of these germs prevail in less than hygienic conditions.
Your child is still at risk of contracting these infectious diseases from other people and from the environment. Tubercolosis or TB is seeing a resurgence brought in mainly by migrant workers, polio was brought to West Java from Nigeria via Yemen and Saudi Arabia in 2005 and we still have sporadic measkes outbreaks.
Belief No.2 : Vaccination is not safe
Fact : Cases of serious adverse effects associated with vaccinations are extremely rare. Vaccination may cause mild reactions or side effects in some children . on the other hand, an infection would be devastating to your child , as well as costly to treat.
The benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risk and temporary discomforts that may arise. The usual post-vaccination problems are redness and swelling at the injection site and fever.
Fact : Cases of serious adverse effects associated with vaccinations are extremely rare. Vaccination may cause mild reactions or side effects in some children . on the other hand, an infection would be devastating to your child , as well as costly to treat.
The benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risk and temporary discomforts that may arise. The usual post-vaccination problems are redness and swelling at the injection site and fever.
Belief No.3 : Why vaccinate when a doctor can treat?
Fact : There is currently no effective or specific treatment for many of these diseases. There are hardly any drugs to successfully combat the vural diseases. When complications arise, there is little except to put the children on supportive treatment that can be unpleasant and expensive. Antibiotics are administrated for bacterial infections, but antibiotic resistance is making them less potent.
Fact : There is currently no effective or specific treatment for many of these diseases. There are hardly any drugs to successfully combat the vural diseases. When complications arise, there is little except to put the children on supportive treatment that can be unpleasant and expensive. Antibiotics are administrated for bacterial infections, but antibiotic resistance is making them less potent.
At times, treatment may not be ab;e to prevent severe complicatios (like heart or brain damage, or muscular paralysis) from occurring. Other times, treatment may be too late because diagnosis and appropriate treatment may delayed.
Belief No.4 : My child has a cold.
Fact : A mild runny nose is not a contraindication to vaccination. If the child has a fever, it may be wise to defer the vaccine. Oral polio vaccine. Which is being phased out in lieu of the injectable vaccine, may be given later if baby has diarrhea.
Fact : A mild runny nose is not a contraindication to vaccination. If the child has a fever, it may be wise to defer the vaccine. Oral polio vaccine. Which is being phased out in lieu of the injectable vaccine, may be given later if baby has diarrhea.
Belief No.5 : I don’t have time!
Fact: all it requires is a trip to the clinic/hospital every month or two for the first few months of the babys life. Your employers and colleagues will understand if you need to take time off. Your child’s health and life is a priority.
(taken from the Jakarta Post-Zulkifli Ismail/The Star/ANN)
Fact: all it requires is a trip to the clinic/hospital every month or two for the first few months of the babys life. Your employers and colleagues will understand if you need to take time off. Your child’s health and life is a priority.
(taken from the Jakarta Post-Zulkifli Ismail/The Star/ANN)
2 comments:
Nice posting my friend..thanks for information
Good Post..
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