tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609683919099708226.post4810457228742617044..comments2023-06-16T09:39:07.504-04:00Comments on Harpocrates Speaks: A Parent's Story of Vaccine ReactionTodd W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16192694127268195554noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609683919099708226.post-49798458172345165032011-11-08T21:47:52.317-05:002011-11-08T21:47:52.317-05:00I am 26 years old and apparently had a bad reactio...I am 26 years old and apparently had a bad reaction to a vaccination as a small child. The details I can tell offhand are few, and I need to speak to my mother about it for clarification. <br /><br />What I recall is that the reaction troubled my paediatrician (who gave the shot) enough that she would not give me the required boosters later on. (It was a vaccine which was given in several doses over a few months or years, as I understand it?) I think it was DPT?<br />This came up at a visit with my current doctor some years ago. She told me to hold off on getting a tetanus booster, I think it was, after hearing about it? Since my teen years I've had strange illnesses/symptoms which are now supposedly diagnosed. (Included are autoimmune, dysautonomia, and a few mitochondrial disorders.) Given that, I can easily suppose that something about my body couldn't handle that vaccine well, but I was given all the other recommended ones on schedule. <br /><br />I am not very supportive of exemptions. There was a time I heard about anti-vax concerns and wasn't dismissive, but I read a little more and am rather upset at how many parents have been able to opt out. <br />Some Amish families in my area do not vaccinate, and this year quite a few children had the whooping cough.<br /><br />This is such an unhelpful comment, I apologise, but I wanted to share what I could.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609683919099708226.post-85167514676626904902011-08-20T13:39:33.047-04:002011-08-20T13:39:33.047-04:00Thank You for sharing this. I have multiple autist...Thank You for sharing this. I have multiple autistic children and grandchildren so in our family it is a genetic thing and we know it. we accept it and keep on going. My problem with the anti-vaccine group is that they are determined that we do not exist. To them ALL autism is caused by vaccine reaction and my baby daughter (now 8 years old) that was diagnosed before she ever received a vaccine scares them to death.<br /><br />We do need more research into possible interactions in some children and I think every child that has a reaction should have DNA taken from them to see if there is a pattern that is identifiable in these kids to avoid giving them things they might react to in some way.<br /><br />A cheek swab by the kids that do react could very well provide the answers needed to screen kids and find alternatives a well as finding what they actually are reacting to. Is it the combinations, a single vaccine, a preservative, what is actually causing the problem in the kids that react.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12813192026954290193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609683919099708226.post-73481657182275894522011-08-16T13:18:29.838-04:002011-08-16T13:18:29.838-04:00Threat is 20,000 times 'louder' than oppor...Threat is 20,000 times 'louder' than opportunity (and not without good reason!). This is why we hear the bad news and not the good.LokaSamastahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00187465138890222167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609683919099708226.post-26035877309239736352011-08-10T09:39:45.752-04:002011-08-10T09:39:45.752-04:00This is why comments on blogs are so great. Thank ...This is why comments on blogs are so great. Thank you, Monica, for all the added information! It's so good to learn new things.<br /><br />Sounds like knowledge about primary immunodeficiencies can help to create better, more effective and safer vaccines. Another area of research that people can support!Todd W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16192694127268195554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609683919099708226.post-83711614144312005012011-08-10T09:29:40.942-04:002011-08-10T09:29:40.942-04:00Todd, checking for CVID before vaccination is diff...Todd, checking for CVID before vaccination is difficult. The diagnosis is heavily based on response to components of the DTaP and Pneumococcal vaccines. Granted, testing for the titers to these vaccines could indicate who should have live virus vaccines delayed, or be exempt, but that would be extremely costly. <br /><br />CVID also known as Hypogammaglobulinemia is a form of PI- Primary Immunodeficiency, a genetic condition. While CVID is rare, about 1:500 individuals have a form of PI. There are over 150 various forms of PI, 15 states in the US now test infants for the most severe form of PI- SCID- severe combined immunodeficiency. <br /><br />In a perfect world, all infants will have a vaccination schedule tailored to their specific health needs.<br /><br />Testing for SCID at birth is a huge step in the right direction. We also need a greater awareness of PI. There were enough flags in my family that we should have consulted an immunologist prior to vaccinating. <br /><br />Here are the 10 warning signs of PI-<br />http://www.info4pi.org/aboutPI/index.cfm?section=aboutPI&content=warningsignsadult&CFID=40408608&CFTOKEN=20233531<br /><br />Here's some info about clinical testing for PI- http://www.info4pi.org/aboutPI/index.cfm?section=aboutPI&content=algorithm&CFID=40408608&CFTOKEN=20233531<br /><br />Not only should those who can be vaccinated do so, but you should also consider donating plasma. Plasma is used to create IVIG (intravenous immunoglobin) the treatment for many Primary Immunodeficiencies. Your high antibody levels to VPDs ensures protection for those receiving IVIG who can't create antibodies to VPDs. Plus, you get paid ;o) <br />http://www.donatingplasma.org/Monica Bicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02081053336266782323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609683919099708226.post-19809307894008133212011-08-09T18:56:03.951-04:002011-08-09T18:56:03.951-04:00Thanks to the parents who have commented and share...Thanks to the parents who have commented and shared similar stories. I feel that these kinds of stories are very important for people to hear.<br /><br />@Monica Bice<br /><br />I was unfamiliar with CVID, so I took a bit of a look around, finding that it affects about 1 in 30,000, based on estimates over the past couple decades, with an onset generally after 24 months of age. On a casual look, I was unable to find indications on the sensitivity and specificity of screening tests.<br /><br />Perhaps my friend Ren could shed a little more light on this, but checking for CVID before administration of live virus vaccines would depend on the reliability of such tests. The more reliable (and cost-effective), the more strongly I would recommend doing such testing. However, the less reliable the tests (e.g., increased false-positives or too many false negatives), the less valuable such testing would be.<br /><br />All that said, your story clearly illustrates when vaccination should not be done and why it is so important for other people who <i>can</i> be immunized to do so.Todd W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16192694127268195554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609683919099708226.post-73797465596020739622011-08-09T13:13:18.944-04:002011-08-09T13:13:18.944-04:00We are out here. Parents of children who suffered ...We are out here. Parents of children who suffered a reaction, yet still support vaccination- that is. Some of us even have kids on the spectrum! <br /><br />My daughter has Common Variable Immunodeficiency. Her immune system cannot produce adequate antibodies. She now receives antibody replacement, IVIG, every four weeks to protect her from viruses and infections. The CVID wasn't yet diagnosed when she received the MMR and Varicella vaccines. 20 days later, she had a bulls eye rash, high fever, seizures, followed by regression (I think it was the chicken pox, personally). She also would regress when she had other febrile events, including after mono and rotovirus. Since she began IVIG 28 months ago, she has not suffered a single febrile event. <br /><br />She also has a permanent medical exemption to all further vaccination. She hasn't been able to receive a vaccine since she was 20 months old.<br /><br />CVID is listed as a contraindicated condition to both the MMR and Varicella vaccines. <br /><br />While I understand my daughter had a reaction due to her rare condition, I honestly don't agree with today's vaccination schedule. Until we can improve upon identifying children with contraindicated conditions, I don't think we should be adding more vaccines. 4 live viruses at once is too risky in my opinion. I often tell parents to read the package insert for each vaccine before their child receives it, and to consult an immunologist if the child has signs of, or if there is a family history of Primary Immunodeficiency. http://info4pi.org/<br /><br />However, you won't catch me blathering on about toxins, or aborted fetuses. I cringe whenever I hear antivax propaganda. My daughter had a reaction because she couldn't create antibodies, and the virus over-replicated. A wild case of measles or varicella can cause further regression, if not kill her. <br /><br />I would like to punch the next person squarely in the nose that says "MY unvaccinated child is not a risk to your vaccinated child". Yes, they are very much a risk. <br /><br />Vaccines work, herd immunity works, and some of us MUST depend on others to maintain a high level of vaccination in order to survive.Monica Bicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02081053336266782323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609683919099708226.post-92031836123147222542011-08-09T10:11:29.136-04:002011-08-09T10:11:29.136-04:00As a child, I had a horrible reaction to the old D...As a child, I had a horrible reaction to the old DTP vaccine that still used live pertussis in the vaccine. I don't know exactly what happened, but I know that I never had another of those shots. When my daughter was born and I was told that she needed the DTaP vaccine, I mentioned my bad reaction to the DTP. Her doctor assured me that the vaccine was different from what I had received as a child. We agreed to attempt vaccinating her fully. She had absolutely no negative reaction, and has since been fully vaccinated. I have had 3 DTaP shots myself in the last 20 years or so, and while I do have a very painful reaction and a few days of flu-like symptoms and joint pain, I still feel it is worth getting the shot every 10 years if I can keep myself from becoming seriously ill.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609683919099708226.post-12255136915474023222011-08-05T21:34:53.790-04:002011-08-05T21:34:53.790-04:00I can understand the outrage when a parent does no...I can understand the outrage when a parent does not know what caused what ever reaction their child may have had. However, it would be best for everyone involved in various vaccine controversies to not lash-out with either verbal or intellectual aggression towards: either their perceived human agents of causation, people that disagree with them for whatever reason, or innocent by-standers as in "displaced aggression" situations. <br /><br />This results in long-term misunderstandings both ways all too frequently. But, we are only human, right? Maybe this is why so many people extol the attributed quote from Jesus to "love your enemies". That certainly is a useful perspective on this.bubhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15699592676923594291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609683919099708226.post-79107074073325223862011-08-05T19:12:57.510-04:002011-08-05T19:12:57.510-04:00Thanks for this balanced post.Thanks for this balanced post.sharon Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15492764403059640967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609683919099708226.post-90414416025426379892011-08-05T17:17:52.054-04:002011-08-05T17:17:52.054-04:00Here is a link from the CDC on syncope after injec...Here is a link from the CDC on syncope after injection. The biggest harm in syncope is a person hitting their head or other injury.<br /> <br />http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/Concerns/syncope_faqs.htmlBeeRosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17153130981500938216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609683919099708226.post-42474686152088688142011-08-05T17:09:51.203-04:002011-08-05T17:09:51.203-04:00The "seizure" occured immediately after ...The "seizure" occured immediately after the nurse turned around. Vaccines are not given directly into the vein and so it is unlikely the medication had yet entered the bloodstream to cause a reaction so quickly. More likely it was a vasovagal response. Vasovagal syncope (fainting) can occur immediately after getting a vaccination. It's not uncommon.BeeRosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17153130981500938216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609683919099708226.post-15701226311126576332011-08-05T15:35:19.107-04:002011-08-05T15:35:19.107-04:00@mtgordon
Thank you for sharing. If I might ask,...@mtgordon<br /><br />Thank you for sharing. If I might ask, what are your reasons for remaining supportive of vaccines?Todd W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16192694127268195554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609683919099708226.post-4217556036312563322011-08-05T15:19:41.781-04:002011-08-05T15:19:41.781-04:00My son started having rather violent myoclonic jer...My son started having rather violent myoclonic jerks in his limbs, starting a few hours after his 4-year vaccinations. There was no loss of consciousness, but his arms and legs were thrashing about uncontrollably. The pediatrician's office was closed, so the pediatrician on call at that practice suggested we take him to the emergency room. We did that, and he did some more twitching for the triage nurse before a doctor could see him. By the time we got to a doctor, it had passed. He had a follow-up with a pediatric neurologist the next day, and no irregularities were found. He's been fine ever since. It hasn't affected our desire to have our kids vaccinated.<br /><br />There's one common factor worth noting: my wife is a PhD chemist.mtgordonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12852403580910661486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609683919099708226.post-20217674057090292972011-08-05T12:09:54.896-04:002011-08-05T12:09:54.896-04:00Very compelling. Thank you for sharing.Very compelling. Thank you for sharing.Renhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02165486823815850422noreply@blogger.com