Smallpox party is a kind of "party" during which he althy children visit sick children so that they can become infected with the smallpox virus. Supporters of the smallpox party argue that it is better for your child to have smallpox as early as possible and become immune. However, doctors are sounding the alarm! Deliberately exposing a child to the VZV herpes virus can have dire consequences, including the death of the child.
Smallpox partyis a kind of "party" during which he althy children visit sick children so that they can become infected with the smallpox virus. Due to the fact that the pox virus is transmitted by droplets, it is not difficult to get infected. According to studies, about 90 percent of people susceptible to VZV infection suffer from contact with a sick person. In Poland, on average 500 children fall ill with chickenpox every day (data: www.ospawietrzna.pl).
Parents intentionally infect their children with smallpox because they believe that the disease is mild and uneventful in childhood. It is also argued that childhood chickenpox leaves immunity for life. They say "smallpox admissions" are the only effective way for a child to gain immunity. In their opinion, smallpox vaccines can lead to complications that can occur even many years after receiving the vaccine.
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Smallpox party - why are "smallpox parties" dangerous?
Doctors strongly criticize the idea of knowingly infecting children. They warn that chickenpox is an unpredictable disease. Contrary to popular belief, not every child has a mild course, and research shows that as a result of getting sick, complications occur in one child in a thousand. They include, but are not limited to:
- bacterial purulent skin infection
- otitis media
- lymphadenitis
- meningitis
- myocarditis
- pneumonia
- thrombocytopenia
These types of problems may appear even in children who are he althy so far. As a last resort, even a general infection of the body, i.e. sepsis, can occur, which can lead to the death of the child.
Smallpox party supporters also forget that a deliberately infected child can infect adults who have never had smallpox, as well as elderly people who are susceptible to infection. It is worth knowing that the risk of the above-mentioned complications, vincluding death, is 10-20 times greater in infants, adults, and the elderly than in children 1 to 4 years of age.
It should also be remembered that after getting smallpox, the virus remains in the body in a latent form. If it reactivates, you may develop shingles.
Chickenpox prevention
The most effective way to avoid chickenpox is a protective vaccine, which has caused a significant decrease in illness, complications, hospitalization and deaths over the years. In Poland, vaccination against smallpox is included in the Protective Vaccination Program, on the list of compulsory and recommended vaccinations. It is worth knowing that in the case of vaccination, complications occur in one case out of one hundred thousand.
The World He alth Organization warns that abandoning vaccines and deliberately infecting children with smallpox may lead to the return of almost forgotten diseases. For example, since 2009, there has been an increase in the incidence of measles.