Disclaimer - The information in this newsletter should
not be interpreted as medical advice for any condition. Dr. McIntyre is a licensed healthcare
professional, but this column is intended only to make you aware and to make
you think. The primary sources cited in
this article are the websites for the Center for Disease Control, the Institute
of Medicine, and the National Vaccine Information Center.
Last December, a family visited Disneyland. According to officials, one of them had the
Measles virus. Over one hundred others
received the same diagnosis in the months that followed and ongoing media
frenzy has ensued.
Television has a way of dramatizing even the most
objective story. Stripping away the
sensationalism, the real question is: should we be concerned about the Measles?
There are 319 million people in the United States. 150 people have had the Measles, thus far, in
2015 and 644 people had the Measles last year; an infinitesimally small
percentage of the American population. To
put that into perspective, between 16 and 64 million people (5-20% of US
residents) are diagnosed with seasonal Flu viruses each year. The number of new Measles cases has been waning
since the first week in February and, of those already reported, none led to
deaths. In fact, there have been no
deaths from Measles in the United States in 15 years.
The symptoms of the Measles are of the variety comparable
to a bad cold, with a characteristic rash being the defining characteristic
that separates it from other viral infections.
Basically, it makes you feel really lousy for several days, much like
with the Flu, and then you get over it.
Considering that it is a virus that primarily attacks the
developing immune systems of younger children, it is perfectly reasonable for
parents to be alarmed by what they are seeing on the news. However, the situation has been over exaggerated. One California Pediatrician was even quoted
as saying that “Our nightmare would be for someone to show up at our door with
the measles.” Such an attitude has
helped create unwarranted fear throughout the public and suggests a fundamental
misunderstanding of the virus. Even at
its height over five decades ago, the Measles was responsible for just 500
deaths in 500,000 diagnosed cases per year (0.001%). Can the Measles be dangerous? Yes, but not to the degree that should elicit
widespread panic. If you evaluate what
the Measles does rather than what it can do, you will find very little reason
to worry.
A simple evaluation of the situation reasonably leads to
the conclusion that we can breathe easy.
Perhaps of greater concern is of how the Measles coverage
has fanned the flames of a larger issue.
Inevitably, when there are numerous cases reported about conditions for
which the general population receives a vaccination, the story shifts to the
modern argument between those who vaccinate and those who do not. A recent CNN poll revealed that 80% of
American parents believe that vaccinations should be mandatory and that 60%
believe that unvaccinated children should be banned from public school and
daycare. This article is not intended to
draw a line in the sand and pick a side.
Contrary to popular opinion, the vaccine debate is not that black and
white and, as such, is a broader topic for another day. This article does, however, support the
parental right to choose whether or not to vaccinate. It also supports the ethical ideal of
informed consent between patients and their doctors, meaning that patients get
to choose what treatments are administered based on verbal and written facts
about the risks and benefits.
Many a debate should be had in regards to vaccines, but
emotions often run too high (thanks in no small part to the media) for this
debate not to devolve into a knockdown, drag out argument. Hopefully, a little bit of perspective on the
matter will ease the minds of anxious readers and allow cooler heads to
prevail. We have the capacity to rise
above and have genuine discussions on such pressing matters.
It might help if the two opposing sides better understood
the other’s choices. It would also be
beneficial for both sides to recognize that there are more than two views. Since much of the fervor surrounding the
Measles cases has centered on the so-called “anti-vaccine movement,” though, it
is important to point out to the pro-vaccine group that there are still very
real concerns about the safety of vaccines.
Thousands of severe reactions are reported to the CDC
each year which have resulted in prolonged hospitalization, permanent
disability, or death. Many reactions
never get reported, with some sources stating that they are “grossly
underreported.” The fact, though,
is that adverse reactions happen. $3
billion have been paid out to victims of adverse reactions to vaccines. Yahoo Parenting published an article in
February that detailed the stories of some of these victims. The daughter of Dr. Susan Lawson, for
instance, was left with permanent brain damage after receiving the MMR
vaccine. She had previously had the
utmost faith in medicine, but after seeing her child become a toddler for life
“felt shocked, bewildered, and guilty” by her vaccine experience. “Like any medication, vaccines can cause side
effects,” said a CDC spokesperson to the author of the article. The MMR vaccine, in addition to adverse
reactions, has been responsible for over 100 deaths since 2000.
Scientists are unable to prove that a definitive
connection exists between vaccines and so many of the potential adverse
effects, but rarely are they also able to prove that a connection does not exist. The fine print states that “the evidence is
inadequate to accept or reject a causal relationship.” No two people are exactly the same, so we may
never know with 100% certainty that vaccines are or are not safe. Thus, there may always be a debate.
As you can see, this current Measles situation is not as
extreme as it may seem, which means that our response to it does not need to be
extreme either. Using the recent Measles
scare as a platform to condemn parents who choose not to vaccinate is without
merit. It certainly should not be used
as a way to lobby for stripping patients of informed consent under the guise of
“public health” needs.
Upper Cervical Perspective: No matter your position on
vaccines, the true issue at hand is immunity. If you are concerned
about infection, in general, there are things that you can do to build a
strong immune system on your own. Upper Cervical Care ensures the
basic, neurologic component, connecting the brainstem to the brain and
glands that govern immune response. Eating your fruits and vegetables,
of course, is extremely important, too. Being active helps; keeping
your body moving. The less stress the better, as well, so if you need
support in this area then make sure that you get it. On that note,
surround yourself with positive people, places, and things; it will help
you keep stress manageable. Essential oils offer a natural alternative
to symptom depressing drugs and is actually a true "preventative
medicine."
Thinking good things for you, as always,
Dr. Chad
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