A really good example of children in the USA still dying from childhood diseases.

oramar · Dec 14, 2008

I read a story about a 19 year old that was home schooled. Her fundamentalist family did not believe in modern medicine. She went off to a 3rd world country unvaccinated as a missionary. She was dead within a month of chicken pox. Probably up until that point in her life she was protected by herd immunity. It is insane to go to a 3rd world country unvaccinated.

Katnip, RN · Dec 14, 2008

We're starting to see a rise in pertussis now, mainly because so many people did not vaccinate their kids. I haven't seen the mortality rates in the U.S. on this.

Jen2002 · Dec 14, 2008

We just discussed this issue in my current class. I dont think the chicken pox vaccines should be mandatory, especially sine we dont know when the wear off. Our kids need so many other more important vaccines, chicken pox should not be added. My heart goes out to the family.

HM2VikingRN, RN · Dec 14, 2008

We just discussed this issue in my current class. I dont think the chicken pox vaccines should be mandatory, especially sine we dont know when the wear off. Our kids need so many other more important vaccines, chicken pox should not be added. My heart goes out to the family.

Huh?????????????????

I am not a huge fan of vaccination for chicken pox but in cases where kids don't contract it then vaccination should be considered. In adults chicken pox can definitely be fatal as this case sadly showed.

"Better to be a little bit sick than a whole lot dead" HMC Marple.

imenid37 · Dec 14, 2008

When I was a hospital volunteer in high school, I saw a girl who had chicken pox which progressed through the skin to the hip joints. She was 8-9 years old. It was a dilemma because she was not a candidate for hip replacemnt since she was still growing. She was on the PEDS unit of a general hospital for over a year. I wonder what ever happened to her. It was very sad. Mom visited faithfully, but dad "couldn't handle it" and stopped visiting. She would be in her mid 30's now.

HM2VikingRN, RN · Dec 14, 2008

I read a story about a 19 year old that was home schooled. Her fundamentalist family did not believe in modern medicine. She went off to a 3rd world country unvaccinated as a missionary. She was dead within a month of chicken pox. Probably up until that point in her life she was protected by herd immunity. It is insane to go to a 3rd world country unvaccinated.

There was a similar case where an unvaccinated college student went to South America on a mission trip. She contracted polio from kids who had been vaccinated with OPV but survived with some residual weakness.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2008

I'm old enough that polio and other fatal childhood diseases are more than faint memories.

Vaccinate your kids, fer cryin' out loud.

HM2VikingRN, RN · Dec 14, 2008

Chicken Pox Parties.....

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Dec 14, 2008

I attended one of these parties when I was a kid, that's how I got chicken pox and then gave it to my siblings.

birdgardner · Dec 14, 2008

I know of a baby girl who died who died of whooping cough - not even two months old. Better herd immunity would have protected her.

Unfortunately, she had repeatedly been misdiagnosed with RSV - so whooping cough is something to keep in your mind there. And to listen to a mother who says "my baby is really really sick," and make the MD listen to.

Aneroo, LPN · Dec 14, 2008

While I am all for vaccinations (I work public health, I ought to), we need to remember that it is a parental decision, just as much as it is for someone of a different religion to refuse blood products or other treatments. Regardless, the parents in all cases are doing what they believe is right for the children. We can educate, encourage, and educate some more, but it is not our place to judge those who do not vax.