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sherri j. tenpenny

Sherri J. Tenpenny, D.O.
Vaccinations, Alternative Medicine

My son was diagnosed with a hydrocele at his two-week checkup. At every checkup after that, the pediatrician told us it had resolved on its own, however, at his one-year checkup it reappeared, and we were told to have it surgically removed. Obviously, we are very against having this done at such a young age, especially if it is medically unnecessary. What are the reasons to operate, and what other things can be done to resolve the hydrocele?

A hydrocele is a collection of fluid in the scrotal sac of male infants that has drained downward from the abdominal cavity. The baby's scrotum will appear swollen or large, but he will not have other symptoms. There are two types of hydroceles: communicating and non-communicating. While I am not a pediatric surgeon, it sounds from your description as though your son has a communicating hydrocele. This is caused when the tube that passes from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum (called the processus vaginalis) fails to completely close during prenatal development. If this membrane closes and then reopens, fluid can once again collect in the scrotum. This signifies that the tissues are stretched (weak), and there is a potential to develop a hernia as he grows. I do not know of any way to encourage this membrane to close on its own. Surgery is usually an outpatient procedure where the thin muscles of the scrotum are reinforced with stitches to prevent recurrence and future complications.

What is the best way to protect my baby from getting the flu? I don't want him to get the flu shot because of the risks involved. I wonder if there's anything I can do that is safer for him.

It has been proven in multiple studies that the flu shot is no more effective than a placebo for preventing the flu, so choosing to avoid it is a wise decision. Your baby was born with an immune system, so keeping him healthy and avoiding the flu is mostly common sense. Here are a few simple steps for both of you:

1. Keep your distance from people who are sick.

2. Wash your hands often and avoid touching the nose, eyes, and mouth areas.

3. Make sure that you both get enough sleep. The value of sleep for infants and children cannot be overemphasized.

4. Avoid white sugar, as it affects the white blood cells and keeps them from performing their protective roles.

5. For mom: Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly, drink at least eight glasses of water a day and keep stress levels to a minimum.
For more information on the flu shot and problems associated with the flu, see my book, FOWL: Bird Flu, It's Not What You Think. In addition, a homeopathic spray for building resistance to flu viruses, "Flu-DFC,? is available through www.DrTenpenny.com.

My son, now 19 months, has shown reactions to the DTaP shot after his 6 month and 9 month appointment, including fever and slight "head tremors". I expressed concern to my doctor after hearing more information about severe reactions to immunizations. At my son's 12 month appointment he received the DT instead of the DTaP. That evening, he developed a fever and was terribly unhappy. He is due for another round of shots and I am concerned to give him anything else. I have already expressed concern and my wishes to hold off on the MMR shot, but didn't know if I should wait on the others after these reactions. I just question if there is something else affecting him in the shots that could cause worse reactions as we go forward. Thanks for any help or advice. My pediatrician is very pro immunization, but seems to be willing to "work with me."

There are many ingredients in vaccines that may be causing your son's reactions. Please go to this link and see the list of chemicals contained in vaccines: http://www.mercola.com/2001/mar/7/vaccine_ingredients.htm. This is a great site; start with the link at the bottom of the page for much more vaccine information.

To continue to inject him after he has had severe reactions could lead to serious, life-long consequences. A simple comparison: Would you continue to give him penicillin if he had had a serious reaction to it? Many parents are not aware that vaccines are not required for a public education. All states offer exemptions. Go to this link to find out the laws of your state: http://www.vaclib.org/exemption.htm.

In addition, you may want to go to www.DrTenpenny.com and order the DVD, "Vaccines: The Risks, Benefits and Choices" for 3 hours of detailed information.

I was born with an inverted (tipped backward) uterus. I had two safe & gentle midwife-attended homebirths in my late 30's with no internal damage. Now 10 years later I'm having problems retaining urine when I run, a problem that began with my first delivery. Also during my last pelvic exam the nurse practitioner said my uterus is falling down by some 30%. Where do I go from here? Homeopathics? Kegels? Yoga? Abdominal exercises? Anything to avoid the possibility of surgery.

The pelvic floor muscles stretch from the pubic bone to the base of the spine; the urethra, the vagina and the rectum pass through these muscles. When these muscles are weakened or stretched, the uterus can sag and urine leakage can occur. Exercise to strengthen the muscles is the way to go. You may find the information and instructions on this site very helpful: http://www.whv.org.au/factsheets/continence_pamphlet.htm

I think the surgery you are trying to avoid is a hysterectomy. However, there is a type of out-patient surgery called an UPLIFT procedure that may be right for you. It is designed to tighten the round ligaments which suspend the uterus from inside the pelvic wall. It is reportedly easy to perform and the repair maintains normal anatomic relationships. (REF: Carter, JE. Journal of Reproductive Medicine 1999; 44:417-422.) This is an option you should discuss with your doctor.

My 4 month old son has not been vaccinated, but my husband expects that he will eventually receive DPaT, Polio and MMR vaccinations. In addition, our son's doctor (who is definitely pro-vaccine although he is willing to vaccinate on a slower schedule), wants him to receive the Hib vaccine as well. In my heart of hearts, I am anti-vaccine, and do not want my son to receive any of these. My husband is only concerned about thimerosol, but I am concerned about the vaccines themselves. What evidence is there that vaccines (without thimerosol in them) are just as dangerous? I need hard data to back up my argument.

Yes, there is hard data to back up your concern.

  1. If you have my DVD, "Vaccines, the Risk and Benefits" you will find many links, references and case studies about the hazards that can be caused by vaccines, such as asthama, allergies, heart problems, etc. All have been gleaned from Medline and other medical journals.
  2. Here is a list from www.mercola.com with a GOOD START (not complete!) list of vaccine reactions documented in the medical literature www.mercola.com/article/vaccines/references.htm.
  3. Search www.mercola.com for more reactions, or get my new "Parent's Manual" that have pages of references regarding vaccines--without thimerosal--and reactions.

I have a 6 week old baby who just was diagnosed and hospitalized with RSV two weeks ago. He is recovering well but I know at his 2 month well visit he is to receive vaccinations. I am very concerned about any vaccines that may have an adverse effect on him. I am also confused on what vaccinations I should avoid etc. I also wanted to know if I break up his vaccines will this help minimize some of the possible harmful effects of vaccinations?

Bottom line: there are no safe vaccines and no "safer" way to administer them. I suggest that you do your homework; purchase my DVD, "Vaccines: Risks, Benefits and Choices" and then decide from there. For more information, go to www.novaccines.com

What are the precautions I should take with my unvaccinated 3yr old son, and his exposure to my constantly vaccinated 9 month old grandson? Are there any real dangers of shed viruses from newly vaccinated babies?

There is a concern for spreading the viruses contained in some of the live virus vaccines: the oral polio vaccine; Varivax (the Chickenpox vaccine); FluMist and the MMR (measles/mumps/rubella).

The oral polio vaccine hasn’t been used in the US since Jan, 2000. As for the chickenpox vaccine, there is a risk of transmitting vaccine virus to non-vaccinated persons. In clinical trials, approximately 3.8% of children and 5.5% of adolescents and adults contracted the chickenpox from a vaccinated person. (MMWR July 12, 1996 / 45(RR11);1-25) FluMist, the intranasal influenza vaccine, is only recommended for persons age 5-49 years of age, but that is another to be concerned about as the influenza virus can shed for up to 21 days after it is administered. (FluMist™ package insert.) As for the MMR, there is a theoretical risk of spreading, but nothing has been confirmed.

I am 30 weeks pregnant, and I have chosen not to vaccinate, but I've been worrying about the Vitamin K shot. Is there anything I can do alternatively to this shot to make sure the baby's blood will clot?

Vitamin K is given to newborns to prevent a condition called "hemorrhagic disease of newborns", or HDN. It is a rare condition thought to affect 4-5 babies per 100,000 births. HDN is divided into three categories. Early onset HDN occurs in the first 24 hours. It is very rare and mainly associated with mothers who have taken anticonvulsant, antibiotic, or anticoagulant drugs during pregnancy. The second type, called classic HDN, occurs in the first week after birth. It is manifested by bruising and oozing of blood from the intestines or the cord site.

Late onset HDN occurs after the first week of life, with a peak incidence between the second and sixth weeks. It is the most serious form, and can result in bleeding into the brain. Most, if not all, of the reported cases of late onset HDN have presented in children with serious underlying disease: hepatitis, cystic fibrosis, chronic diarrhea, bile duct atresia, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, celiac disease of insufficient plasma transport capacity.

The decision was made in 1985 by the American Academy of Pediatrics to give all newborn infants a vitamin K shot at birth. This decision to administer Vitamin K prophylactically was based on the thinking that since some infants may need it, it would be good to give it to all infants. The preparation commonly used today is Vitamin K1 (phytomenadione). Phytomenadione (trade name, Aquamephyton by Merck) is a synthetic petrochemical derived from 2-methyl 1, 4-naptha-quinone in a based made from polysorbate-80.

It seems to be incongruous that babies of well fed, well nourished mothers are born with a deficiency of an essential vitamin and require an injection after birth for supplementation. Although there have been many studies on differing aspects of vitamin K prophylaxis, there has only been one on the possible reasons for and the advantages (if any) of the physiological effect of high levels of vitamin K in newborns.

A better way for an infant to have enough Vitamin K at birth is to ensure that you eat large quantities of food that contain natural forms of Vitamin K, such as alfalfa, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard and turnip greens, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, oats and green tea prior to delivery and during the time you are nursing. (For a good, well referenced discussion on this topic, see Vitamin K: Controversy? What Controversy? )

I have decided to do a partial/delayed immunization for my daughter. The vaccines that I wish for her to receive are DT (without the pertussis) and meningococcal C conjugate, when she will be around 2 years old. I was hoping that you could help me make up a schedule for her, with what is best for her. Also, I found a lot of information about the whole cell pertussis vaccine, but not a lot about the new one. Is is that much safer?

Menomune®, a polysaccharide vaccine, has been available for many years for meningitis serogroups A, C, Y and W135. This vaccine produces poor immune responses in children under age 2, and does not produce long-lasting protection.

A new type of meningitis vaccine, called a protein-conjugate vaccine, has been developed for group C meningococcal strains. There are three vaccines licensed in Australia, Europe and Canada, and are Meningitec® (Wyeth-Lederle), Neis Vac-C® (Baxter) and Menjugate® (Chiron, CSL).

Conjugate vaccines can induce antibodies that are longer lasting than those resulting from polysaccharide vaccines. In addition, conjugate vaccines can induce an antibody response in children of all ages, including infants.

Number of vaccine doses recommended for the group C meningitis vaccine is based on the age of the child at the time of the initial injection. By waiting until your child is at least two years old, only one dose of vaccine is recommended.

Be aware that this vaccine does not protect for non-type C meningococcal disease. This is particularly important in young children in which type subgroup B remains the most common cause of meningitis. Therefore, have your child assessed urgently if you ever suspect meningitis in your child.

At 2.5 months my (now 14 month old) daughter received the DTP, polio and HiB vaccines. A week later, she developed a mild, but nagging cough which lasted at least 10 days, culminating in periodic frightening "gasps" for air. Around the same time, she also had a petit mal seizure and developed some eczema. She is now 14 months old, and has recently had episodes of wheezing without a cold. Neither the nurse nor doctor knew if the pertussis portion of the DTP was acellular or not. I still don’t know the answer to that. Could she have had a mild whooping cough? Could she have contracted it from the vaccine?

It is possible that the contents in the pertussis vaccine could have induced the symptoms of pertussis in your daughter. Pertussis vaccines contain components of the three disease-causing antigens: pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), and pertactin. Whole cell pertussis vaccines contain the active form of all three antigens. The antigens in the acellular pertussis vaccine have been chemically inactived with formaldehyde.

The most severe symptoms of whooping cough are caused by the PT antigen. Even though you are uncertain which vaccine was given to your daughter, she could have: a) received a large dose of PT antigen if given the whole cell; b) received PT antigen that was not completely inactived. In either instance, there is a possibility that the pertussis symptoms could have been caused by the vaccine.

The other possibility is that that your daughter actually contracted pertussis from the vaccine if the vaccine was contaminated with the bacteria that causes pertussis, B. pertussis. Even though this may be “highly unlikely,” that is not the same as “impossible.” Contamination has happened in other vaccines.
For example, last year, 48 million doses of flu vaccine were scrapped after the lots were found to be contaminated with the bacteria, Serratia marcescens (Washington Post Foreign Service, October 9, 2004; Page A01). In addition, a rabies vaccine for humans was recalled in the United States and 23 other countries because a live strain of the virus was found in different lots made at the same time. (Orlando Sentinel, April 8, 2004). Ensuring that all of the active viruses and/or bacteria have been removed from a vaccine is virtually impossible.

As for the development of seizures after vaccination, pertussis toxin (PT) is also known to itself be a neurotoxin. For a good review on complications associated with the pertussis vaccine, see The Story of Whole-Cell DPT by Dr. Mark Geier and David Geier found at http://www.attorneyaccess.net/AppF.pdf

What is the percentage of children affected by vaccine damage? When was this information gathered?

The answer to this is "technically" complex, because it depends on how you define "vaccine damage." Conventional medicine considers vaccine damage as "death" or "serious injury--such as seizure". If that is all that is considered, then the numbers are small---up to 5-10 in a million. However, if you consider the possibility that "vaccine damage" can include problems such as ADD/ADHD, allergies, asthma, eczema, diabetes and cancer, then the actual number will be hundreds of thousands of kids...a much higher percentage.

There is a government site called the VAERS database, (for Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System). This site--which can be accessed by anyone--is the only place where vaccine injuries are "tabulated." There are hundreds of thousands reports of vaccine injuries. The reported injury can be anything from a sore arm to a death. In 1998 alone: VAERS received more than 11,000 complaints in from doctors and/or parents. And it is estimated that only between 1-10% of events are reported (reported by David Kessler in JAMA - June 2, 1993. Vol.269, No.21. p.2785)---meaning, there may have realisticallly been >110,000 vaccine reactions. I have always wondered how many reports of an adverse drug reaction have to occur before they remove a drug from a market.

Do all vaccines have the potential for damage?

Yes. There is no such thing as "safe" vaccine.

What ages can the damage effect? Babies, children and even college kids?

Yes, and even adults. There are many vaccine-injured adults that are total disability because of vaccine injury. The most common vaccines in adults that cause problems are the HepB and tetanus. there have been many deaths reported after the Flu shot in the elderly population.

Does the damage show up right away or can it show up after time?

There can be an immediate reaction. The problems that occur due to imbalances created in the immune system can take weeks to months to show up. I would say that the "average" is somewhere between a few days to 3-4 months to see...that is why doctors rarely, if ever, "connect the dots." They are only looking for immediate reactions. Most vaccine studies only track the development of problems for up to 14 days after a vaccine is given. This is an arbitrary time line, but certainly cuts out any problems that develop down the road.

Are there tests that can be performed to see if your child is more at risk for adverse reactions?

Unfortunately, not at this time. These types of tests are under development. However, once available, will be a "double-edged" sword. Tests are never 100% accurate. If your child tests that s/he is NOT at risk, is that a "guarantee"? What if your child test that s/he is NOT at risk, but you don't want to vaccinate them? Will you be forced to vaccinate him? What if s/he still has a reaction? Who will be liable? Who will accept the responsibilty?

How can you tell if your child has or had a bad reaction to vaccines?

Most parents recognize when something is "not right" with their child. Some common serious reactions are: high pitched screaming/crying; prolonged somulence; high fever; inconsolability; restlessness; seizures.

What do you do if you think your child has been affected?

You should have an evaluation by your pediatrician and/or a neurologist. However, these conventional docs will most likely only "diagnose" the problem, but offer no solutions...and very little hope for recovery. We have solutions and offer hope at OsteoMed II. That is why more and more kids are finding their way to the Clinic.

Are the effects irreversible?

Unfortuantely, they are often irreversible. However, OM2 can offer hope for at least a partial recovery...and in some cases, complete recovery.

Why does the government push so hard for vaccination if they know they are so bad for you?

This would require a long answer to a very political question. It has to do with money, politics, big business and big government. It has to do with the narrowness of medical education--even tho they THINK that they know it all!!---and the unwillingness of those in medicine to look outside what they have been "taught." The vaccine industry is a $7BILLION/yr market...and more being developed all the time. If the person is injured with a vaccine, the pharmacuetical companies have an answer for the created problem: another drug! (imagine that). I could go on and on, but you get the drift.

How or where can I get my child tested to see if she has mercury in her (from vaccines or otherwise)?

A simple, painless, inexpensive test for the presence of heavy metals is through a hair analysis. Human hair has been selected as one of the important monitoring materials for worldwide biological monitoring in the Global Environmental Monitoring System (GEMS) of the United Nations Environmental Program." (REF: Environmental Protection Agency, Biological Monitoring of Trace Metals, EPA-600/3-80-089).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency supports the use of hair, over blood tests and/or urine tests, as the most effective way to screen for the presence of heavy metals. Basic blood and urine tests inaccurately reflect the amount of metals in the body and are nearly always negative, unless an acute exposure has recently occurred or the total amount of metals in the body is exceptionally high.

Heavy metals are poisonous and are quickly eliminated from the body through the liver (passed out through the stool) or through the kidneys (eliminated in the urine.) Metals that are not immediately eliminated become stored in the tissues. The body attempts to eliminate the stored metals through the hair, making a hair analysis a simple way to screen people of all ages for the presence of heavy metals.

Because infants and small children are less capable of clearing metals from their blood than adults, the metals are stored more quickly in body tissues. The use of oral antibiotics may also decrease a childA?AE?fA?-s ability to eliminate heavy metals. In a study in which rats were given oral antibiotics, the amount of time to excrete a "dose" of mercury increased from 10 days to more than 100 days. If the rat's diet also contained cow's milk, excretion of the dose of mercury took more than 300 days. (Rowland, Archives of Environmental Health 1984: 39(6); 401-408). Therefore, if an infant received mercury-containing vaccines at an early age, was on antibiotics and drinking cow's milk around the time of the vaccines, a large amount of metals could have been deposited in body tissues.

Most hair tests measure the following toxic elements: Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Bismuth, Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, Nickel, and Tin, along with a variety of essential minerals including Calcium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Iodine, Magnesium, Manganese, Selenium, Strontium, Sulfur, Zinc. Toxic metals can disrupt many different physiological processes including brain function, kidney blood flow, sleep, and digestion. Some of the minerals in this list - such as magnesium and selenium - are generally considered to be good for you. They are measured in a hair analysis because they can be toxic at high levels.

Sources of heavy metals vary from metal to metal. However, in children, mercury (thimerosal) in vaccines is one of the sources for potentially high levels of seen in a hair analysis. Prior to 2000, childhood vaccines contained between 12.5ug and 25ug of thimerosal per shot. Therefore, a fully-vaccinated child could have received up to 237.5ug of thimerosal if all shots were given at the same time. When the manufacturers were told by Congress to remove the thimerosal from the vaccines, a product recall was not enforced. As a result, many thimerosal-containing vaccines remained in doctor's offices, making it critically important to read every package insert prior to the administration of a vaccine. (Note: Thimerosal remains in the following vaccines: dT, DT and most flu shots.)

Many companies offer Hair Test Kits through the Internet. A laboratory that I have found very reliable, and will send test kits directly to parents, is Great Smokies Laboratory. However, it is best to work with a healthcare practitioner that is familiar with interpreting a hair analysis to thoroughly understand the results.

Another way to estimate the total body burden of heavy metals is through the use of a medication to provoke the excretion of mercury and heavy metals. Provocative testing is performed by administering a chelating agent prior to collection of urine and/or stool for a heavy metal analysis. The agent usually used in children is 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and 2,3-dimercapto-propane-sulfonate (DMPS) is most commonly used for adults. DMSA is safe and approved for use in children. However, blood testing for kidney and liver functions need to be done prior to using these medications. It is my recommendation that chelation needs to be done under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner that is familiar with using this medication.

I have been reluctant to give my 2 1/2 year old the MMR because of the controversy surrounding it. I was told by my doctor that receiving the 3 vaccines separately is not an option any longer because the drug companies no longer manufacture separate vaccines. What other options do I have besides not vaccinating

Merck & Co., the sole manufacturer of the MMR, is reportedly taking limited orders - 3 boxesA"?A? per physician, of the single vaccines. Doctors may order the vaccinesA"?A? by contacting their sales rep or by calling Merck at 1-800-422-9675 or 1-800-637-2579. The single vaccines can make the vaccination "safer", but it still in no way makes it "completely safe". In addition, there is no way of knowing how long Merck will continue to manufacture the individual antigen vaccines.

There is no doubt that measles can be a serious infection in some children. However, measles occurs in the vast majority of children as an acute febrile illness, lasting for 7-10 days. Nearly all previously health children fully recoveroand have lifetime immunityoafter a bout with the measles.

If you choose not to vaccinate, it is important to learn about the infection: Measles, also called rubeola, is primarily a respiratory infection. The first symptoms are irritability, runny nose, eyes that are red and sensitive to light, hacking cough, and a fever that can be as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.6 degrees Celsius). The key diagnostic imarki for measles is called a Koplik spot. This is an area on the inside of the cheek which looks like a bluey-white grain of salt. Most commonly seen on the inside of the cheek near the second upper molar, it can be found anywhere on the gums. The presence of Koplik spots is SPECIFIC for the diagnosis of measles. (Medicine International, 1984, pg 20, Viral Diseases in Man, 83rd Edition, pg 412.) When Koplik spots are present, your child is the MOST contagious. Stay home!

After three or four days of fever the characteristic rash appears, which typically begins on the forehead, and spreads downward over the face, neck, and body. The child can appear particularly ill during the first days of the rash. Don't panic! The rash looks like large, flat red to brown blotches that often completely covers the skin, especially on the face and shoulders. The rash fades in the same order that it appeared, forehead first and feet last.*The total time for the rash, from beginning to end, head to toe, is usually 6 days.

As the rash disappears, the healing skin may look brown temporarily. In addition, the skin from the palms and the soles usually peels. This is nothing to be concerned about. After the rash disappears, most children recover quickly and will have lifetime immunity to the infection. Support your child with ample fluids, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and cooling baths for the fever. Don't worry if s/he does not have an appetite; fluids is what is important. In addition, you may consider seeking the assistance of a knowledgeable homeopath to support your child's immune system when s/he is experiencing this childhood illness.

If you choose to vaccinate, here are some guideline recommendations: Wait until your child is at least two years of age. There really is no irushi to give vaccine at a specific time on the schedule.

Give only the MMR at the doctor's visit. Do not allow any other vaccines to be given simultaneously. Be sure that your child has not had type of infection within 3-4 weeks of getting the vaccine and has not taken any antibiotics during that same period.

Be sure to read the package insert to ensure that the vaccine your child is receiving is truly thimerosal-free.

Since the 1920s, it has been known that giving children with measles Vitamin A greatly improved survival rates. In 1987, the World Health Organization bean advocating the combined administration of Vitamin A with the measles vaccine. When a dose of 100,000 IU of Vitamin A is given with the vaccine, lower rates of side effects occur, and antibodies still develop. Therefore, be sure to give your child is given Vitamin A on the day s/he receives the vaccine.

I would also suggest giving powdered Vitamin C (10mg per pound), for 3 days before, the day of, and for 5 days after any vaccine. Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant and can help to decrease the adverse effects of the vaccine. Keep in mind that vaccinated children can still get measles. Even though some children still contract measles, few children actually die from measles. In fact, the death rate from measles in 1955, the death rate from measles was less than 3 per million. (Ref: MMWR. Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999. Impact of Vaccines Universally Recommended for Children -- United States, 1990-1998. April 02, 1999 / 48(12); 243-248.) That was eight years before the measles mass vaccination campaign began, in 1963.

I have not vaccinated my children at all, but pertussis really scares me. What kind of treatment and prevention alternatives are there?

It is important to understand the infection, pertussis, to decrease the "fear factor". Pertussis, or whooping cough, is an infection involving the respiratory tract. It is caused by a bacterium that can be found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person. Pertussis begins as a mild upper respiratory infection with symptoms resembling a common cold: sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever and a mild cough. Within two weeks, the cough becomes more severe and is characterized by episodes of numerous rapid coughs, followed by a crowing or high pitched "whoop". This occurs as air is forced in through a narrowed trachea (bronchial tube), similar to trying to breathe in through a thin straw. The trachea is narrowed by thick, clear mucus that needs to be suctioned to help the child breathe. The coughing episodes generally are more frequent at night, and may continue for one to two months.

Young children have the most severe symptoms. Infants less than six months of age, adolescents and adults often donit have the characteristic whoop. Therefore, a person with a cough that lasts more than a week without improvement should see a health care provider to determine if the cough may be caused by pertussis. Erythromycin, an antibiotic, can be given to treat the infection. If given within the first few weeks of a cough, it may lessen the symptoms. If given later, it has no effect on the course of the infection, but it will decrease the risk of spreading the disease to others. Children can become very ill if they contract pertussis, but they rarely have serious complications. Before the introduction of the vaccine, a steady decline of whooping cough deaths, beginning in 1930, was reported. By the time vaccination began on a national scale in 1957, most deaths from pertussis had ceased. There is no evidence that vaccination played a major role in the decline in incidence and mortality in the trend of events.

Even more, published studies have not demonstrated a direct correlation between antibody response from the vaccine and protection against pertussis disease. That means that if you get the vaccine, you get all the risks of the vaccine, but perhaps no protection from infection.

The best way to prevent against pertussis is the following:

Cod liver oil
Your grandmother was right. Use 1 tsp. twice daily. A good source for a mercury-free supplement includes products from Kirkman - www.kirkman.com and Nordic Naturals - www.nordicnaturals.com

Homeopathics
Most homeopathic sarcodes work to build immune resistance to infections. Find a knowledgeable practitioner to work with and recommend the appropriate remedy and dosage for your child.

Vitamin C
The best immune builder and antioxidant for all ages, even for infants, is Vitamin C. A reasonable dose is 10 mg. per pound, up to 250 mg per day. It is easiest to give in juice if a powdered form is used. Good food sources for getting Vitamin C into your child's diet include calcium-fortified orange juice, strawberries, melons and for older kids, broccoli. You'll know if s/heis is getting too much vitamin C if s/he gets loose diarrhea stools.

References:
Steward, Gordon T., "Vaccination Against Whooping-Cough Efficacy
Versus Risks", The Lancet, January 29, 1977, pp. 234-237 MMWR. March 28, 1997/Vol.46/No. RR-7, pg. 4 www.healthsentinel.com/Vaccines

I have decided not to vaccinate until my child is 2. If he gets a "vaccine preventable disease" and I go to a local doctor who discovers I did not choose to vaccinate, could I be held liable? I have heard some nightmare stories about mothers and child protective services.

It is the responsibility of your physician to care for your child when s/he is ill. If a pediatrician scolds or threatens you for not vaccinating, I would suggest finding another healthcare provider, perhaps a family practitioner or a nurse practitioner.

Keep in mind that a child can become ill, even if s/he has been vaccinated. It may important to point that out to your physician. Here are two examples you can use:

"Whooping Cough Cases Spread"
New York Times www.nytimes.com 10/26/03 P. N5; by Alice Kenny
According to Dr. Michael G. Lasser, a pediatrician in Westchester County, N.Y., who has been treating many of the children involved in an outbreak of whooping cough, the majority of the children have received the vaccine against whooping cough.

It is believed that the vaccine is 70- 80 percent effective, meaning that 20- 30 % of immunized children can become infected with whooping cough after serious exposure to the bacterium.

Chickenpox vaccine fails at US day care center Dec 19, 2001 (Reuters Health) By Anne Harding
An outbreak in Chicago of 23 children began with a child who had been vaccinated, contradicting the belief that such "breakthrough" cases are not contagious.

What do I say to a parent who asks if my unvaccinated 1&3 year old children pose a health risk to her 3 month old?

Unvaccinated children are not "carriers" of disease. Neither are they a "tinderbox" ready to ignite with illness, as the CDC is trying to label them. As a group, unvaccinated children are more healthy than most vaccinated children because they have a completely intact immune system. If your friend is breast feeding-and eating a healthy diet complete with vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids-there is little, if any, risk from your older children. An added protection, have your kids wash their hands before handling her baby.

When I told my doctor that I was considering not vaccinating my 6 month old girl, he told me that I should absolutely get the DTaP, the MMR and Hib. He also had me sign a paper which frees him from all responsibility in case my baby is sick or dies; He told me I was putting my child at risk by choosing not to vaccinate her and that there were death risks before the ages of one year; He really scared me. How can I find answers which help me make the right choice?

First of all, it is my personal and professional opinion that it is unethical to "scare" ANY patient into making a medical decision, especially when the decision involves an elective procedure (which is what vaccination is). It is even more disconcerting to me when a physician uses threats to force parents to make on-the-spot decisions regarding a procedure that can affect the long-term health of their child.

Is this the physician you wish to have care for your child if she became seriously ill?

I know that this may be difficult to do, but if signing this release becomes mandatory-and you cannot-or do not wish-to change physicians, I suggest that you politely request your doctor to sign a reciprocal release, one that states he is willing accept full responsibility (and full liability) if your child becomes ill or dies from the vaccines. He is forcing you to do something that may be against your wishes for your child. It is highly doubtful that he will comply. So from here, perhaps you can reach a reasonable compromise.

Making the right decision regarding vaccination requires a willingness to do your homework. There is no urgency to vaccinate, so you have time on your side. Here are the websites that I suggest for more information: The National Vaccine Information Center at www.909shot.org; Vaccination Liberation at www.vaclib.org; Vaccination News at www.vaccinationnews.com; Dr Joe Mercola's website at www.mercola.com; Nicholas Regush's scientific site at www.RedFlagsDaily.com and of course, Mothering Magazine's site at www.mothering.com. In addition, I have information in the form of videos, articles and seminars that can be found on my website, www.nmaseminars.com.

Information regarding your pediatrician's and the Center for Disease Control's position on vaccination can be found at www.CDC.gov There are dozens of links to hundreds of pages of information supporting vaccines and vaccination. The Journal of Pediatric Infectious Disease contains most of the research studies regarding vaccine clinical trials. That web address is www.PIDJ.com. Abstracts are available for viewing, but to read the entire article, a fee is required.

If you chose to vaccinate, I recommend that you wait until your child is at least 6 months of age, preferably older. Do only one vaccine at a time, at least a month apart. The reason that multiple vaccines are given at one time is 1) for doctor convenience, and 2) because most health insurances pay for the 2-4-6 month "well baby visits", but not for additional visits just to receive for vaccines. If you can't afford to pay for these additional visits as an out-of-pocket expense, but wish to only give one vaccine at a time, consider using your local health department.

Our eight year old has the opportunity to visit the Galapagos Islands and Equador with his grandparents. He had one MMR as an infant and nothing since. He is currently a big healthy kid and we would consider vaccinating him appropriately for this trip. Do you have any thoughts on what might be appropriate in this situation? We also don't have much time and wouldn't be able to the second round of certain vaccinations. Our local travel clinic has said that those vaccinations requiring follow ups would be of no use after only the first one. Is this true?

It is important to recognize that there are no required travel vaccines to the Galapagos Islands or, for that matter, to most countries in the world. Vaccines are only "recommended" so there is no urgency involved in this decision. In addition, you recognize that your son is a "big healthy kid." The likelihood of him contracting measles is extraordinarily small, even if exposed. Since he received one MMR as an infant, he may have some residual anemestic (memory) response, giving him some degree of immunity.

Here's a statistic for you: In 1955-the death rate from measles was less than 0.03/100,000-i.e. less than 3 in 10,000,000. Mass vaccination with the MMR did not begin until 1963. (REF: MMWR. Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999 Impact of Vaccines Universally Recommended for Children -- United States, 1990-1998 . April 02, 1999 / 48(12);243-248). In other words, the death rate from measles was negligible even before wide use of the vaccine.

While on the trip, make sure that he avoids the suppressive effects of white sugar and frequently washes his hands. In addition, give him extra Vitamin A, Vitamin C and elderberry extract (such as SambocolA?(R)) prior to and during your trip. If you have a homeopath to work with, get a complex remedy for him to take while on vacation to increase his resistance to infection. In this case, my opinion would be that the risk of the MMR vaccine is definitely greater than the risk of the disease.

What homeopathic remedy is recommended to ease the symptoms of chicken-pox?

Chickenpox, for the most part, resolves spontaneously in 7-10 days, leaving lifetime immunity behind in the child. Suppressive substances-either medications or homeopathy-can negate the opportunity for complete healing and developing immunity. The best thing to do is support the body's detoxification pathways during any acute illness. It isn't always necessary to "treat" the symptoms; allow the body to deal with symptoms it if possible.

To appropriately use Classical homeopathy, the child must be repertorized, meaning that a series of questions are asked, and then the remedy is specifically "matched" to the child's "type." Unlike Classical homeopathy, Complex homeopathy is a as mixture of remedies are used to support the detoxification process for a specific disease or organ system. I personally recommend a product from Apex Energetics for chickenpox called "Vesi-Pro." This product helps to support healing from chickenpox and/or shingles. We have had exceptionally good success with these products in our office. With either of these methods, you must be working with a holistic practitioner. Remember: with homeopathy, a remedy is selected to SUPPORT the body's immune system.

My daughter is 8 years old and never been vaccinated. She is taking horseback riding lessons now and cleans the horses feet, etc. Should I get her a tetanus vaccination? I have never been able to find much information on protecting yourself against tetanus if you haven't been vaccinated. Where can I find more information?

Tetanus - the disease and the vaccine
Tetanus is a disease caused by the Gram-positive bacterium Clostridium tetani. This organism exists as a spore in soil contaminated with animal or human feces. In the presence of anaerobic (low oxygen) conditions, the spores can germinate and release a potent neurotoxin, called tetanospasmin, into the bloodstream. Dirty, deep puncture wounds and injuries caused by frostbite, crush injuries, or burns are at greatest risk.

The incubation period for tetanus can be several days to several months, depending on the location of the inoculation. When the spores germinate, the toxin is released into the bloodstream, traveling to peripheral nerves and attaching to receptor sites on nerve endplates. The result can be unrelenting, painful muscle spasms that can last from seconds to minutes. Death from tetanus is due to spasm of the vocal cords and spasm of the respiratory muscles, leading to respiratory failure. When recognized early, the infection is treated supportively until the toxin is metabolized from the body. The highest mortality rate for tetanus is seen in the very old and the very young, but recovery is usually complete, unless unforeseen complications occur(1). Although a serious infection, tetanus is not "uniformly fatal", as most people believe.

A review of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) from the CDC called "Tetanus Surveillance-United States, 1995-1997"(2) revealed that 24.8% of those who contracted acute tetanus had at least one dose of the vaccine. Of the 124 reported cases, 12.4% were vaccinated with three or more doses of tetanus. This means that vaccine is not completely protective and without appropriate attention to wound treatment, you can still contract tetanus even if fully vaccinated.

In addition to the tetanus toxoid, the vaccine contains the following ingredients: formaldehyde; sodium phophate dibasic, [an eye and skin irritant that may be harmful if ingested]; glycine, and aluminum. In addition, all forms of tetanus shots still contain thimerosal (mercury).

What are the other treatment choices?
It has been known since the 1940s that the best way to prevent infection is proper attention to washing the cut with copious amounts of soap and water soon after it occurs. Regardless of vaccination status, dirty wounds must be properly cleaned and crushed tissue should be surgically removed.

Antibiotic regimens are available for prevention of tetanus infections. The Red BookT, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics makes the following suggestions. Metronidazole, the antibiotic of choice for a dirty wound, should be given to reduce the potential bacteria from the wound. Another antibiotic choice is injectible penicillin G. Either therapy, when used, should be continued for 10 to 14 days(3). It appears that a prophylactic course of antibiotics would be prudent for all risky wounds to prevent the possibility of C. tetani germination and toxin production.

Another available treatment is TIG, or tetanus immune globulin. This injection can be given at the time of an acute injury and provides immediate antibodies in the area of the wound. The antibodies from TIG are reported to last up to 3 weeks to protect against germinating toxin. The package insert for TIG states the following: "If a contraindication to using tetanus toxoid preparations exists for a person who has not completed a primary series of tetanus toxoid immunization, and that person has a wound that is neither clean nor minor, only passive immunization should be given using tetanus immune globulin."(4) This means that TIG represents an effective treatment for the prevention of tetanus in an unvaccinated person who sustains a dirty wound.

Knowing the facts about the infection and being aware that treatment options are available should be a comfort to parents who choose not to vaccinate. (Side Note: I grew up on a horse farm where we raised standard bred and quarter horses. Of note, I was not vaccinated for tetanus as a child.-Dr. Tenpenny)

1. GlaxoSmithKlein. http://www.worldwidevaccines.com/public/diseas/dtp8.asp
2. MMWR. Tetanus Surveillance -- United States, 1995-1997 July 3, 1998/47(SS-2);1-13. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00053713.htm
3. The Red BookT: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 25th ed. Pub: Am. Acad. Ped. Tetanus.
4. PDR. Ibid. Tetanus Immune Globulin (Human). pg. 924.

Our school has told me that, according to our state law, my child will not be allowed to attend unless he is fully vaccinated. I have read a lot recently about how Thimerosal has been removed from vaccines. Since this dangerous matter has been removed, do you still consider vaccines to be a health risk or a possible cause of autism?

Please be sure to check your ACTUAL state law regarding vaccines. Oftentimes, school nurses and administrative officials are unaware of your state's exemptions and how you can be utilize them. For more information, check www.nvic.org or www.vaclib.org

Thimerosal has NOT been removed from all the vaccines. As of April 4, 2004, the following vaccines still contain mercury: all DTaP shots (DT, DTaP, TT), Recombvax (Hepatitis B), meningitis vaccine (for college students), and flu shots (Fluzone and Fluviron.). These vaccines still contain between 12.5ug and 25ug/dose of thimerosal. Most of the other vaccines still contain trace amounts of thimerosal that are used during the manufacturing process.

Even without thimerosal, vaccines can still cause health problems. The following vaccines have been shown in the medical literature to be contribute to (IgE) allergic responses that can lead to allergies and asthma: a) the gelatin in the chickenpox vaccine (Varivax); b) DT vaccine; c) the rubella portion of the MMR vaccine; d) both acellular and whole cell pertussis vaccine. In addition, vaccines, particularly the hepatitis B vaccine, have been associated with the development of autoimmune disorders, (Cohen AD. Vaccine-induced autoimmunity. J Autoimmun. 1996 Dec;9(6):699-703. PMID: 9115571)

Older isn't necessarily "safer.". As one example, the medical journal Vaccine, published a case report of a 6 year old child who had an anaphylactic reaction after the 5th DTaP booster. (Vaccine. 2002 Sep 10;20(27-28):3409-12.)

Taking out the thimerosal from many of the vaccines is a step in the right direction. It makes the vaccines"safer", but the bottom line is that there is no such thing as a "safe" vaccine.

We have chosen not to vaccinate our 1 year old son. He plays with children who have been vaccinated. Is there any chance of him getting sick from playing with a freshly vaccinated child?

The live virus vaccines included MMR, Varivax (chickenpox), FluMist (not generally recommended for children under 9 years of age), and oral polio vaccine (no longer used in this country.). These vaccines have been documented to “shed” viruses for up to 21 days after the vaccine has been administered. So, yes, there is a small chance that your child can contract the illness from a “freshly” vaccinated playmate. Make sure that your child washes his hands and try to keep him from sharing toys for that period of time. If he is around children how have been recently vaccinated, use homeopathy, Vitamin C ascorbate, and Vitamin A to boost the immune system. In addition, keep in mind that if your child contracts rubella or chickenpox, he will most likely be immune for life, unlike the temporary immunity conferred by vaccines.

Our pediatrician has diagnosed my 3 year old son with asthma and has prescribed several medications. I would like to take him to a pediatric pulmonary specialist. How can I find a specialist open to traditional and alternative treatments?

I commend you for wanting to work to restore your son’s health through the help of an alternative healthcare provider while also working with your conventionally trained pediatric specialists. However, it can be a challenge to find an open-minded medical specialist. The most direct way to find an “open” doctor is to ask the people who work with him or her. Although time consuming, call the specialist’s office and discuss your concerns with his nurse or receptionist. Express your interest in working with a natural healthcare provider—such as a chiropractor, naturopath, or integrative medicine MD/DO—in addition to the pulmonary specialist. Ask the nurse about the doctor’s position on vitamins, supplements, acupuncture and working with you regarding your position on vaccination, if that is a concern. The response you get will give you the answer.

I chose not to vaccinate my daughter. Now that she is approaching her childbearing years I am concerned about future pregnancies. If she is not immune to rubella wouldn't her fetus possibly be damaged if she is exposed to someone with rubella? I would hate to think that my future grandchild could be injured.

The concern regarding the potential for congenital rubella, is small but real. It is unfortunate that children rarely contract rubella today because the natural infection confers immunity for life. Even if a child is vaccinated, rubella antibodies are only thought to exist for approximately 15 yrs. Giving the rubella vaccine to an adult is not without risks. Studies have confirmed that the vaccine can induce autoimmune arthritis and IgE-induced allergies. For an extensive review on this topic, go to the article written by pediatrician, Edward Yazback, MD at www.redflagsweekly.com/yazbak/2003_nov04.html

My child is a suspected Celiac, and I have delayed vaccinating. Is autoimmune disease a compelling reason to vaccinate or a reason not to vaccinate?

Autoimmune diseases are characterized by an abnormally functioning immune system. The body creates antibodies directed against its own tissues, leading to prolonged inflammation and subsequent tissue destruction. Common autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, insulin-dependent diabetes, and lupus. Celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue, nontropical sprue, and gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is also considered an autoimmune disorder.

A healthy immune system recognizes, attacks, and destroys bacteria, viruses, parasites, and cancer cells normally present in the body. It also “remembers” the presence of certain infections, such as chickenpox and measles, leading to lifetime immunity. A defective immune system, on the other hand, wreaks havoc by directing antibodies against its own tissues.

There is little doubt that exposure to a variety of toxins plays a role in immune dysfunction. Known disrupters include pesticides, industrial wastes, cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust, genetically modified (GMO) foods, and medications. Vaccines can also be disruptors by upsetting the healthy equilibrium between the components of the immune system referred to a Th1 and Th2. When vaccines are injected, the immune system is pushed toward what is called "Th2 dominance," tending toward allergies, asthma and autoimmune diseases.

Another way vaccines can potentially be detrimental is through a mechanism referred to as "molecular mimicry." In the absence of a virus or bacteria to "kill", the antibodies induced by a vaccine find a similar-looking protein on the surface of a human cell and attacks it instead. This is, by definition, autoimmune disease.

Research shows that vaccines can induce autoimmune disorders. Tetanus toxoid, influenza vaccines, polio vaccine, and hepatitis B vaccine have been related to phenomena ranging from autoimmune antibody production to creating full-blown illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Kawasaki’s disease. (REF: J Autoimmun. 2000 Feb;14(1):1-10) (REF: J Autoimmun. 1996 Dec;9(6):699-703).

Although the CDC and conventional medical journals deny the connection, their rebuttals are based on large scale epidemiological research instead of actual laboratory values that could document immune system dysfunction. Studies based only on epidemiology overlook problems that can occur in individuals. Therefore, vaccinating a child who already has an autoimmune disease can plausibly lead to further health consequences and further complications of their autoimmune disease.

I am 21 weeks pregnant with my second child. I am Rh negative. After reading about the risks of Thimerosal in RhoGAM, I have decided to bring up my concerns with my doctor. What would be the best way to approach the issue? What resources can I use to prove my point? How can I find a facility that offers a Thimerosal-free Rhogam shot?

The determination that a pregnant person is "Rh-negative" means a certain protein is missing from the surface of the mother's red blood cells. If the protein is present on the surface of the fetus's red blood cells, the baby is "Rh–positive." The mother's immune system produces antibodies against the protein on the baby's red blood cells. This reaction commonly leads to the demise of the fetus.

RhoGAM is a globulin shot that prevents the mother's immune system from making antibodies against the fetus's blood. Mothers who hemorrhage early in pregnancy generally receive multiple doses of RhoGAM.

In July 1999, the FDA asked vaccine manufacturers to eliminate or reduce the use of thimerosal in vaccines to avoid the possibility of exposing fetuses and infants to mercury levels that exceeded federal guidelines. As of April 16, 2001, the manufacturer of RhoGAM, Ortho Diagnostics, agreed to remove thimerosal from its product.

Because the FDA did not require a product recall and RhoGAM has a two–year shelf life, RhoGAM with thimerosal may have remained on the market until approximately April, 2003. (Of note, a similar product, BayRho, contained thimerosal until 1996 and a freeze–dried globulin, WinRho SD, has never contained thimerosal.)

The babies of Rh-negative mothers born between 1968 and 2001 could have been exposed to as much as 10.5 micrograms of mercury per shot. It has been demonstrated that mercury in a mother's body can be passed to her fetus. One study suggests that mercury accumulates in umbilical cord blood at a level that is 1.7 times higher than that in the blood of the mother. (Bjerregaard and Hansen 2000)

Fortunately, RhoGAM is now thimerosal free. However, it is always prudent to read the package insert that comes with the dose you are to receive.

What are your recommendations for childcare if parents have chosen not to vaccinate? I work part-time and I am having difficulty finding a childcare provider who will accept my non-vaccinated daughter.

Educating your childcare provider is the best tool. Engage in a conversation and identify her concerns or fears. Point out that if vaccines work the way that they are reported to, then the vaccinated children are protected and not at risk. (I find it interesting that many people have never thought that through.)

Explain that, as a general rule, children who are unvaccinated are very healthy because they have intact immune systems. Assure her that if your child contracts one of the childhood illnesses (such as chickenpox or measles), you will be staying home with your child while s/he is recuperating from the illness.

Share information with her that vaccination doesn't necessarily prevent a child from becoming ill. One example: an outbreak of chickenpox involving 23 children in New hampshire daycare began with a child who had been vaccinated (Reuters Health, Dec 19, 2001).

Another suggestion is to network with several moms in your area who choose not to vaccinate. Perhaps you will find you can share childcare responsibilities if you work on different days (like car-pooling).

My son, now eight months had a reaction to his four-month vaccinations. He will be receiving no more vaccinations; he has never been quite the same. He has always been an extremely happy baby who rarely cried. After the shots, he cried for four hours and had a fever. Since then, he has had a lot of trouble going to sleep, gets agitated much more easily and sometimes just cries without a reason. Is there anything I do to help counteract any damage done by vaccinations?

With a heavy heart, I understand your concerns. We hear similar stories at OsteoMed II, our clinic, many times per week. However, there is hope.

Nutritionally, be sure your son is consuming fish oils, vitamin C and liquid zinc. All of these nutrients (and dosages) can be obtained by going to www.kirkmanlabs.com. Homeopathy can be very useful in assisting to repair the body after a vaccine injury. A good place to start is with this site: http://www.holisticmed.com. If a high level of mercury or aluminum is the problem, you will need the assistance of a physician knowledgeable in Integrative Medicine techniques to help your child. To locate a doctor in your area, try these sites: www.aaem.com, www.acam.org and http://www.holisticmed.com/www/directory.html To find out more about what OsteoMed II can do for vaccine-injured children in Ohio, go to www.osteomed.com

Glod bless you - and all in similar situations - in your pursuit to heal your son.

I am pregnant and unsure about the flu vaccine. What risks could come from the vaccine for both myself and my unborn baby? Are they more dangerous than the flu?

There are very few peer-reviewed reports on the safety of influenza immunization during pregnancy. In fact, a review of the literature finds that only two studies are the source for this recommendation. Both studies have concerns. The first, by Sumaya and Gibbs ( J Infect Dis. 1979 Aug; 140(2): 141-6.) only had fifty-six women in the study. A second study (Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1981 Jun 1;140 (3):240-5) consisted only one hundred eighty-nine pregnant women exposed to the influenza vaccine.. Even through there were no reported complications to the women or their fetuses in these studies, far too few women were involved to make a sweeping recommendation for all pregnant women to be vaccinated. It seems overly aggressive for the CDC to recommend that all pregnant women be vaccinated for influenza when the long term risks are essentially unknown.

The pivotal study that established the ACIPA"e"E^"?es position that pregnant women are high-risk for influenza complications was published by Neuzil, et.al.( Neuzil KM, et.al. Am J Epidemiol; 148:1094-102, 1998.) The result showed that a group of pregnant women in Tennessee were hospitalized 3-4 times frequently in their third trimester during the flu season than non-pregnant women. There are numerous flaws with this paper. The most glaring is that the studyA"e"E^"?es only concern was the number of hospital admission, not if the women had complications. The number of hospitalizations is irrelevant for an indicator since physicians are very likely to admit pregnant, near-term women to the hospital for any type of febrile illness.

Regarding the flu shot, there are three types of influenza vaccines available: Fluzone, Fluvirin, preservative-free Fluvirn. http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/thi-table.htm. Unless a preservative-free flu shot is specifically requested, it is important to know that both Fluzone and Fluvirin both contain 25 micrograms of mercury per dose. The other option, FluMist, a nasal spray influenza vaccine, is not recommended for pregnant women because it contains live influenza virus.

What is your opinion on vitamin K injections for newborns?

Vitamin K is given to newborns to prevent a rare form of blood disease. First identified in 1894, Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn (HDN) is a bleeding disorder associated with low levels of vitamin K in newborn babies. It is thought to occur in approximately 1 in every 10,000 infants.

Vitamin K is a group name for several related compounds. The two most common are phylloquinone (also known as vitamin K1 ) and menaquinone ( vitamin K2 ). However, the vitamin K administered to newborns in the hospital is a synthetic form of vitamin K, called phytomenadione.

There are three types of HDN. Early onset HDN occurs in the first 24 hours, is very rare and mainly associated with mothers who have taken anticonvulsant, antibiotic, antituberculous or anticoagulant drugs during pregnancy. Classic HDN occurs in the first week after birth. It is manifested by the oozing of blood and bruising at sites without trauma. Late onset HDN occurs after the first week, with a peak incidence between the second and sixth weeks, and about half the cases present with intracranial bleeding (bleeding into the brain).

Beginning in the 1950s, and in spite of no long term trials of these preparations, the American Academy of Pediatrics began to recommend that phytomenadione be administered prophylactic ally to all newborn babies. (Vail, B. Vitamin K prophylaxis and hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. ICEA Review 1985;9.)

Vitamin K shots contain PEG-35 castor oil, a solvent. Studies in animals given polyethoxylated castor oil have shown a severe anaphylactic reaction associated with histamine release. Strong circumstantial evidence implicates polyethoxylated castor oil in similar reactions in humans. This synthetic, injectable vitamin K formulation was never subjected to a randomized, controlled trial. There are no long term studies on the effects of this drug on newborn babies.

A better way for an infant to have enough Vitamin K at birth are to ensure that the mother eats large quantities of food that contain natural forms of Vitamin K, such as alfalfa, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard and turnip greens, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, oats and green tea. (For a good, well referenced discussion on this topic, see http://www.vaclib.org/basic/vitamin-k.htm)

My baby is due to be born in the middle of September 2005. My husband is from India. We were planning a trip to India at the end of the year. However, with the new baby, I wanted to wait until the baby was a year old because I don't plan to vaccinate. The family wants us to come in Dec. when the baby will be only 3 months old. Would it be safe to travel then without any vaccinations? I will be breastfeeding and we will be staying in a city in an apartment that is very hygenic. Or should I just do the regular immunizations if I plan on taking the child to India when he/she is 3 months?

You have asked very good questions.The most prevalent childhood diseases in India are reported to be measles and polio. At 3 months of age, your baby would not be eligible for the MMR but with the relatively high vaccination rate (61% in 2003), the risk of measles will most likely be low. Polio exposure is the other potential concern. With only 225 cases of polio in all of India in 2003, the disease is nearly eradicated, and the real risk is extremely low. (statistics information from UNICEF.)

Breast feeding and staying in clean areas of the city will help keep your baby safe and healthy. Another suggestion is to find a homeopathic physician before you travel and begin the use of homeopathic nosodes to strengthen your baby’s resistance to infection. For more information on homeopathy, search www.mothering.com and also www.minimum.com

Perhaps a concern larger than measles and polio is the risk of contracting malaria, particularly if you are in Southern India. To protect you and your baby from mosquito bites, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats. Use natural insect repellents that do NOT contain DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide). There are many on the market, but I suggest a product called Buzz Away. This product was awarded the National Parenting Seal of Approval in 1997, 1998 and 1999 by the National Parenting Center (TNPC) after being tested for effectiveness. The best way to apply Buzz Away on children is with pre-moistened towelettes. The DEET-free application was also appreciated since it didn't harm clothes, plastic, and rubber.

Keep in mind that, even if your child is vaccinated, s/he can still contract the disease, in addition to being exposed to the risks of the shots. Choices for health while traveling, other than vaccination, include: 1) wash hands often with soap and water; 2) drink only bottled or boiled water; 3) avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes; and 4) eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: “boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.”

Happy travels!

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