728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Health Issues › Chicken Pox

Chicken Pox

No Longer an Inevitable Rite of Passage

By Neilia Sherman

Pages:  1  2  3  4  5  

To Vaccinate or Not?
The old-fashioned way to try to control chicken pox was the "chicken pox party." "Myself and other mothers wanted our children to have chicken pox because we know that it is better if they have it when they are young," says Jody McKenna of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. "We would talk about how some parents would avoid homes where a child had chicken pox, and we would almost try to find out who had them so our children could get it over with ... some mothers would talk about having chicken pox parties, and they would invite children over to catch it."

The benefits of doing so? Less risk of complications when the kids are young and control over when the kids get it. Maybe you're off work for the summer so you'll be home to care for them.

But since 1995, there has been an effective vaccine for chicken pox. Like the chicken pox party, it gives kids exposure to the chicken pox virus. But, the dose is smaller; therefore, children who get the vaccine get immunity without getting sick. It is recommended that children get the vaccine when they're between 12 and 18 months of age. Those who are allergic to gelatin, the antibiotic Neomycin or a previous dose of the vaccine should not be vaccinated against chicken pox.


Pages:  1  2  3  4  5  

Want to see more?

Comments

There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to add a comment.

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.