Suddenly Scared of Viruses

Updated on August 22, 2015
M.Q. asks from Vergennes, VT
7 answers

My daughter is not vaccinated for MMR & chicken pox yet. My husband had a bad reaction to both shots and doesn't want our dd to get them. Our ped actually thinks we should wait a year or more. But I'm really scared of her catching one of these. She loves going to the playground and I've been so scared that some infected kid was there before us. How do I cope with this worry? Is there any reassurance that chicken pox isn't easy to get from inanimate items and not being near kids we don't know? I sound annoying and maybe I am but I'd like to feel like our risk is low. I only fixate on Chicken pox because its so much more prevelant than measles. Bless you.

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

You talk to the pediatrician about the risks of waiting vs getting them sooner. Your pediatrician should also talk to your husband so you all make an informed, collective choice.

If you are terrified of the thought that she would get sick, then you consider that a con to waiting. You can ask the pediatrician to space the vax out (though MMR isn't available that way) or to give her just one shot at a time, to weigh the reaction. Your DH should remember that his DD is not himself and she may be perfectly fine. My DD actually got the MMR 3 times due to the timing of the first shot. She got an extra booster just before K.

4 moms found this helpful
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E.T.

answers from Rochester on

Unless there was a medical reason why my child could not be vaccinated, I would get the vaccines. I would look at the risks involved with getting the vaccine and the frequency of those risks happening and compare that to the risks of the disease and the possibility of getting the disease. Yes, there is always a chance of having a reaction to the vaccine. But often times, the reaction to the vaccine is a much lesser risk than the actual disease.

Chicken pox may seem more prevalent than measles, but look at how many cases of measles were contracted at Disneyland last year. I recently read an article written by a woman who had refused to get her kids vaccinated. Then all of her kids (six if I remember right) came down with whopping cough. A couple had to be hospitalized. She said it so awful to watch her kids suffering from something that she could have prevented. She had them all vaccinated for everything as soon as they had the ok from the doctor. She decided the risks involved with the preventable diseases were worse than the potential risks of the vaccines.

That is a decision that you will need to make with your doctor.

2 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

there are valid reasons to decline vaccination, and if you're going to be an anti-vaxer, i strongly recommend that you do actual research (beyond google) and talk to a pediatrician who understands and supports your view, and can give you accurate information.
it doesn't sound to me at all as if you're informed, and you're not going to get informed on the complexities of the issue on MP.
the bottom line is that if you're 'suddenly scared of viruses' you should get your child vaccinated. i myself am on the fence for chicken pox (the shingles link is still in the questionable stage, and will be for years yet- we're all guinea pigs, like it or not) but there's no way i'd pass on MMR.
operate from a place of knowledge. never make important family decisions from a place of fear.
khairete
S.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.Z.

answers from Seattle on

I don't think you should be so worried about Chicken Pox. My generation didn't have a vaccination for it and we all got chicken pox and did fine. People still have pox parties to try to get it naturally. As for the MMR, I don't think I'd worry about that either, since most people are vaccinated.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.E.

answers from Wichita Falls on

There are a number of kids who are not vaccinated for health reasons, compromised immune systems, bad reaction to the the shots, etc. There does not need to be 100% vaccinated in an area for them to be effective and takes into account those that can't or need to be delayed.

BUT, there are a number of people who have chosen not to vaccinate for non-health reasons. Those areas that have dropped below the optimal vaccination rates will leave you exposed. I would call your local health commission for information on local outbreaks in your area. That should tell you if it is safe to wait or not.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I was very worried about my son until he was able to receive these vaccines, I understand your fear. We followed standard hand washing procedures and I kept antibacterial wipes and gel, using them after using play equipment or whatever. Make sure she doesn't put her hands in her mouth or anything else while playing.

Perhaps one thing you could discuss with your doctor is seeing if it would be possible to split the mmr up so that she won't have to get it all as one shot? That might be easier for her body to handle if she is prone to reactions like your husband.

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L.P.

answers from Boca Raton on

chicken pox used to be as common as a cold back in my day and country. my kids are vaccinated but honestly wish they had gotten chicken pox, because even with vaccine they can still get it. so whats the point?
wait until you are comfortable to get the vaccines. don't worry.

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