In today's world, many see immunizations as just a part of life. They made the difference between life and death for so many children in the world. But, reactions during the process are not uncommon. This makes sense, as a vaccination artificially stimulates an immune response in the body. And we see more vaccinations becoming available all the time - many of which may not be as "proven safe" as you might think....
Image via WikipediaImmunizations are typically given to protect the health of a child. Starting at birth, kids are vaccinated against certain common illnesses that at one time caused fatalities. In many cases, a dead inactivated form of the virus in question is given to the child so that the body can create antibodies to it.
There are no cures for viruses. We just have to treat the symptoms. Vaccinations can reduce the incidence of these diseases ever occurring in the first place, but are they really all they're cracked up to be?
Side Effects Of Immunizations
Whenever you take your child to get an immunization, they make you aware of the risks and potential reactions your child might have. Most are mild and related to the process.
* Headaches – Your child may develop a headache from certain vaccinations. For a baby this may be characterized by high-pitched crying.
* Injection site reaction – There can also be a localized reaction on the skin at the point of injection. This can include swelling, redness, rash and pain. A soothing bath or cool compress may stop the swelling.
* Fever – A child may also experience fever from one or more of their vaccinations. A cool bath can make them feel better when they are hot. Cool compresses on their forehead may help break the fever as well. In general it is best to let a fever run its course, as long as it's not too high, as this is the body's natural way of fighting off infection.
* Diarrhea – If this occurs, try giving your child more fluids. Babies that breastfeed often will feed more after reactions to immunizations. If they are not breastfed and can’t keep down formula, try Pedialyte to replenish fluid levels in the body. Sometimes, plain water in the bottle can work to introduce more fluids back into the body. Let your doctor know if your baby starts to get dehydrated.
If there is a reaction to the immunization it will occur usually within one to three days after the injection. In babies, fussy crying that can’t be soothed is a sign. Call your doctor and let them know what is going on.
Image via WikipediaImmediate serious side effects to vaccinations are not all that common, but some may have possible negative effects, long-term. Our bodies are designed to fight off infection, so the best method of keeping your child healthy is to build up his or her immune system naturally. Unfortunately this can mean some sleepless nights while they are fighting off illnesses from time to time. But it may be worth it, to build a strong immune system that will serve your child for life, the natural way.
I'm not saying all vaccinations are bad, but certainly the mainstream media view that they are all good, is NOT the case.
And in case you weren't aware, there has been a growing trend of late of lawmakers granting immunity to vaccine manufacturers. What does this mean? It means that the makers of vaccines are immune to lawsuits caused by their products! This sounds pretty scary to me.... If there's no consequence if a vaccine proves dangerous, what incentive does the manufacturer have to run long-term (and expensive) studies to be sure a vaccine is safe? (See December 2011 issue of Alternatives, by Dr. David Williams.)
Yes, vaccines can save lives (and have, for many years), but just be aware of the potential side effects and possible long-term health problems that may result - while some vaccines have been around for many years and are well tested, many of the newer ones have not. I simply urge you to use discretion and don't jump on the bandwagon for every vaccine that comes along. (And see below for some educational resources on this topic.)
Vaccination Resources:
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