Ever Been to a Chicken Pox Party?
There’s an old-fashioned revival going on in many homes today, a throwback to years gone by, and some critics don’t think it’s necessarily a good thing. It’s an old-fashioned chicken pox party! You know the drill, a child comes down with the chicken pox, the mother calls all her friends and neighbors to invite them, and their children to her home, hoping that once exposed, they too will contract the disease.
Why would anyone accept that kind of invitation?
Many parents today are choosing to immunize their children naturally, through exposure. And while many in the medical field warn of the dangers, these parents believe that the natural immunity to be gained from actually contracting the disease far outweighs any potential for real harm from the disease itself.
While medical experts cite the risk of serious complications, including death, from chicken pox, many parents are willing to accept the risks in order to have their children develop healthier immune systems. Generally, the potential for serious complications increases with age, which is why so many parents are exposing their toddlers through “chicken pox parties.”
Despite the risks, an increasing number of parents are flexing their “personal choice” muscles and going the natural route. In fact, the idea of “chicken pox parties” is so popular that an Internet search of the term brings up more than a million results!
In our practice, we believe that parents have the obligation of making informed choices about all aspects of their children’s health care. Do the research. And if you have questions bring them along on your next visit. We’re here to help!
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