Question for Non-vaccinating Parents: DTP Vaccine

http://www.vaccineinformation.org/tetanus/qandadis.asp

Read the info about the symptoms, how long they last, and the fatality rate for those not vaccinated, then decide.

An "artificial shot" can absolutely, and has been proven, to provide immunity. The numbers of people who have died from "lock jaw" have gone down precipitously (from 500-600 cases per year to 20 cases in 2003) since widespread immunization became common. The bacteria that causes Tetanus can NOT be killed by any chemical - hydrogen peroxide or any other.

I guess too, one has to research the contents of the tetanus shot. TJ is right that once you have a wound and get tetanus, getting the vaccine afterwards is no good. They give you something else in the hospital if you go. I was given a shot in the hospital about 12 years ago because I got cut at work.

The biggest problem about tetanus, is that the neurotoxin is produced by the Clostridium tetani bacteria. It can be found many places, including the soil...

So... while the danger may be most prevalent if you step on a rusty nail and the bacteria are forced up into the wound, where the anaerobic (without oxygen) conditions encourage the bacteria to grow within the wound, the spores ARE prevalent in the soil, and can be picked up easily with any scrape. It doesn't take much for a bit of bacteria to be forced under the skin, where conditions may be just right for that bacteria to grow.

And... once the symptoms of tetanus start, it can be a very difficult and prolonged treatment, with a fairly high mortality rate.

I'm with Dana.... I'd rather be safe than sorry.....

I would rather not get a tetanus shot, if he does not need it. So I don't. If the situation arises, we will deal with it then. I'm not against getting a medical procedure (or vaccine) if 100% needed. If my son steps on a rusty nail or something, I'm not going to skip a tetanus shot. If he doesn't, I won't.

Bug has a point, but in my situation my daughter is a bulldozer, she'll plow through everything barefoot without a care, most of the time I have no idea where most of her bruises or scrapes come from and I don;t see them until bath time at the end of the day. We decided better safe then sorry.

The question is do you want your child to get the shot after an injury or have it and be protected prior.

How active is your child? How often do they play in public places? Do they play in yards that people have pets?

Our daughter was in day care playing on that playground a lot. We also visited many public parks, swam in the lake etc..

When I was at camp, I got a fishing hook stuck in my foot. If I had not had the shot prior, My parents would have had to pick me up and take me to get a shot.

Also this vaccine combo includes pertussis.. I had Whooping Cough last spring with Whooping Cough. I had not had this group off shots in a timely manner.. I was so ill, I was in bed, hardly able to speak, or catch my breath.. .
I ended up in the emergency room 2 times.
I felt so bad thinking of all of the infants and children that had died of whooping cough and their suffering. It was HORRIBLE. I had never been so frightened ever.

I have a friend who does not vaccinate EXCEPT for tetanus.

Yes I would. It's the combo of the three vaccines that's bad news.

The tetanus vaccine is no good once you've been infected, you then need to get the tetanus immunoglobulin. We don't vaccinate but my kids did get the DT only shot (without the ap component for pertussis).

If you can't get natural immunity from tetanus, how in the world can an artificial shot provide immunity?? There have been people who have gotten tetanus and previously had up to 3 shots. The best thing you can do is to suffocate it with hydrogen peroxide after running the cut under water and letting it bleed out for a good 10 minutes or even longer.

Absolutely.

I just saw this on my computer and cc'd the link for you, Mom.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/cold-and-flu/0719/whooping-...

Dawn

If you are concerned about the diptheria and the pertussis then you can get just the tetanus vaccine without the other two. I did a couple of years ago, not on purpose...so I have to have it again...which is no fun!

ditto T.J.
We went through this last year when my son was 1 1/2 yrs. Had stitches and the tetanus immunoglobulin. No complications. hth

sure. but i'd just get the tetanus shot.
khairete
S.

My son had a seizure from the dpt shot at 5 months. And no it was not a febrile seizure. His eyes rolled in the back of his head and he layed lifeless in my arms as I screamed to my husband call 911. He has many motor and neurological problems at the age of 7. I have immune problems and my son tested positive for some of my genes. We decided it was best to not vaccinate my son any further till they could figure out what is wrong. He also after the shot became allergic to all foods but five. So we told pediatrician until he can tell us what is exactly in the shot that goes in my sons body or what antibiotic what preservative then he does get them. Also he can only have one at a time so we can see which one is causing the problem. He has allergies to all antibiotics but one and many inactive ingredients like sucralose etc. so look at your child what out ways the benefit or the risk? Only u know. We found a more natural doctor that too will only do certain shots for these type of reasons. My so has a twin sister that too was very sick got down to 3 pounds at 3 months old and as soon as we stopped the shots and put her on neocate formula did she begin to live. She did go legally blind from malabsorption but now that she is doing well small but healthy I would like to try a shot and see how her immune system does. But I'm so afraid to ruin her for life and make her sicker . I say unless there are serious health issues and I am not for vaccines at all but go go it if your child is healthy and has done ok in past etc. only u know

Not getting and keeping your tetanus shots up to date is like playing Russian roulette. An animal, a rusty fence or nail, that's all it would take to find your child in serious condition in the hospital. This is the ONE shot where It seems irresponsible not to have your child get vaccinated. That us unless your child lives in a bubble.

Would you rather your child get lock-jaw from tetanus? Get the shot. Better to get a shot than seriously ill.