Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a member of the herpesvirus family. It is an issue that is hotly debated among all medical doctrine camps. Vaccinate or don’t? Expose your child to them or hide them from it? Give them medications or don’t?
I, as you all know, am something of an extremist at times. This is most definitely one of those times. I do not believe that any child should ever be vaccinated against chicken pox. Never. Not one. Why, you ask? Well, let me just tell you…
~1 It is dangerous. Period. Consider these facts, taken directly from the National Vaccination Information Center(NVIC): Please be aware that this is not a web site that promotes natural remedies. It is simply an informational site that is relatively unbiased in either direction.
Reported complications from chickenpox vaccine include shock, seizures, brain inflammation (encephalitis), thrombocytopenia (blood disorder), Guillian Barre syndrome, death and infection with vaccine strain chickenpox or transmission of vaccine strain chickenpox to others Mass use of chickenpox vaccine by children in the U.S. has removed natural boosting of immunity in the population, which was protective against shingles, and now adults are experiencing a shingles epidemic
I went to the VAERS website and looked up reactions to the live chicken pox vaccine so I could share some of their info with you. Due to the size of their list, that was not possible….there were 52,513 events. By ‘events’, they mean reported reactions to the vaccine. What interested me was this ~ almost all of them that I waded through clearly state that none of the reactions was life threatening, though nearly all of them cited anaphylactic reactions. Really? The Freedictionary.com says:
Anaphylaxis Definition Anaphylaxis is a rapidly progressing, life-threatening allergic reaction. Description Anaphylaxis is a type of allergic reaction, in which the immune system responds to otherwise harmless substances from the environment. Unlike other allergic reactions, however, anaphylaxis can kill. Reaction may begin within minutes or even seconds of exposure, and rapidly progress to cause airway constriction, skin and intestinal irritation, and altered heart rhythms. In severe cases, it can result in complete airway obstruction, shock, and death.
Somethin’ just ain’t addin’ up, my friends! Even more frightening to me is that this report only contains the reactions from ONE form of the vaccine.
~2 It is only marginally effect. More from the NVIC:
Chickenpox vaccine effectiveness is reported to be 44 percent for any form of the disease and 86 percent for moderate to severe disease
In all fairness, if you check out the MERCK site, they give a much better representation of the statistics.
In this trial, a single dose of VARIVAX protected 96-100% of children against chickenpox over a two-year period. The study enrolled healthy individuals 1 to 14 years of age (n=491 vaccine, n=465 placebo). In the first year, 8.5% of placebo recipients contracted chickenpox, while no vaccine recipient did, for a calculated protection rate of 100% during the first varicella season. In the second year, when only a subset of individuals agreed to remain in the blinded study (n=163 vaccine, n=161 placebo), 96% protective efficacy was calculated for the vaccine group as compared to placebo. There are insufficient data to assess the rate of protection against the complications of chickenpox
So, here is my questions…….Why did over 600 of the original participants drop out of the study (see bold, italicized statement in the above quote), especially if it was so effective? You do realize that those study participants get paid, right? Nearly 75% of the original participants declined the money and the miraculous 100% protection for their child because…….?
~3 Children need to be exposed to the virus to build a natural immunity to it.
Mass use of chickenpox vaccine by children in the U.S. has removed natural boosting of immunity in the population, which was protective against shingles, and now adults are experiencing a shingles epidemic. ~ NVIC Chickenpox complications, such as bacterial infection of skin lesions (cellulitis), brain inflammation and pneumonia, are rare in children but more common in adults ~ NVIC
There are numerous studies that have shown the vaccine may work to help the cases of chicken pox, but it leads to the development of shingles in older individuals, which is a far more dangerous disease.
Okay, now that I’ve gotten that out of my system we can move on.
Let’s just say that, despite all of your best efforts your child gets chicken pox. What are you gonna do?
First of all, you are going to make sure that everyone’s immune system is strong. I, of course, would highly recommend the Tamara’s Herbes line of herbal supplements for healthy immune systems. It contains herbs that have been used for centuries to help build and maintain strong immune system function. Herbs like astragalus, alfalfa, golden seal, ginseng, st johns wort and echinacea. Failing that, eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies, drink plenty of water, get exercise and sunshine on a regular basis, practice safe hygiene habits.
Then, you need to set about making the child as comfy as possible.
Loose, light natural fabrics will help reduce irritation of the bumps and allow the skin to breath.
Soothing baths. Cool or lukewarm baths with soothing herbs like lavender, oatmeal, cucumbers, calendula and chickweed are some of the better ones. ~For a soothing bath, mix equal parts of any or all of the dried herbs in a small teabag or tie up in a piece of muslin or cotton and let float in bath. Don’t throw away the teabag after the bath! Instead, toss it in a 1 qt jar of distilled water mixed with 2 TBSP apple cider vinegar. Use the teabag as a sponge to dab at the rash between baths. This will not only sooth the itch and pain, but it will cool the skin and help prevent infection. ~And yes, I realize you can’t find dried cucumbers. I actually meant fresh ones. Just slice one up and toss the pieces in the bath, peel and all.
The fever, while frightening, is actually a good thing. I know the common school of thought is that we want to bring a fever down, but natural medicine dictates otherwise in most circumstances. The fever is simply evidence that the body is working exactly the way it is supposed to. The heat generated by the body kills the invading bacteria and causes the body to perspire, thereby pushing out the dead, toxic waste through the skin. This is a completely natural, healthy response. Cool baths, or cool packs placed at the throat, the back of the neck, the wrists, the forehead and the feet are effective and provide comfort.
Herbal salves are very effective at helping to heal, sooth and help prevent infection from scabs that have burst or been scratched open. The same herbs that make a soothing bath also make a soothing salve. Herbs like comfrey, burdock, nettle, mullein and sage will help minimize the itching and pain.
Give them lots of water. This will help prevent dehydration, and it will also help the body flush the nasty virus from their system. Fruit juice is an excellent addition, but only if it is free of HFCS, sugar and artificial sweeteners, which are likely to make the itching worse and prolong the symptoms.
Most of all, be patient. This is one of those things that just needs to run its course. Overall, this is really not a dangerous disease. Yes, there are exceptions and every parent should closely watch their child for unusual signs or symptoms, especially if other known medical conditions exist. Otherwise, roll with it. Try to keep them from scratching as much as possible.
Oh, and take lots of pictures!!! They are so good to pull out when you meet prospective girlfriends/boyfriends. My kids totally love it when I do things like that!