Molecular Medicine

Antibiotics and Viruses

by TheVaccineMom
written by TheVaccineMom

Antibiotics do not fight viruses.

Do NOT take antibiotics when you have a viral infection. It will not make you feel better or be better. It can make you sicker. 

When you take antibiotics for a viral infection it can increase your risk of further infection by increasing antibiotic resistance. When you take antibiotics for a viral infection it will kill the healthy bacteria in the gut, allowing more harmful bacteria to grow in its place–bacteria that can cause actual bacterial infection and bacteria that may become antibiotic-resistant.

Do not pressure your doctor give you or your child antibiotics for a viral infection. Ask for ways to lessen the severity of symptoms, get lots of rest, drink lots of fluids, and stay inside. Don’t share your cold with the community!

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Current Health-Related Updates

Measles kills. Vaccines save lives!

by TheVaccineMom
written by TheVaccineMom

Measles is 6 times more contagious than influenza. Around 400 people die from measles EVERY DAY worldwide. Measles is one of the leading killers of children on this planet. (As reported by the Measles & Rubella Initiative.)

As of the beginning of the year to mid April the CDC has confirmed 61 people from ten different states (California, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Washington) have tested positive for measles.

Let’s travel back in time…

2016: 70 cases across 16 states

2015: 188 cases across 24 states

2014: 667 cases (record number) from 27 states

2008: Measles cases rise due to the increase of unvaccinated people.

Elimination (not eradication) of measles was documented in the United States in 2000. Only between 37 and 220 people were reported to have the measles each year.

Measles vaccines became routine in 1963.

Before 1963 measles infected millions of people each year and was responsible for hundreds of deaths. The CDC reports that 3-4 million people were infected every year. 

Back to today…

There is a good chance that someone will be diagnosed with measles TODAY in the United States.  It is a fact that hundreds of people on this planet will die from measles by nightfall. Many of these people will be babies and children–babies and children whose parents WISH they had access to vaccines that would have saved their lives.

Why not save your child? If you haven’t vaccinated your children what’s holding you back?

Please visit the Measles an Rubella Initiative to learn how you can help.

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Children's VaccinesMMRParent Resources

What REALLY Causes Autism?

by TheVaccineMom
written by TheVaccineMom
photo credit: www.psu.edu

There is a fabulous article called Researchers have ditched the autism-vaccine hypothesis. Here’s what they think actually causes it that can be found HERE. I suggest you head there to read it, but it’s a tad long and heavy so if you’re wanting the quick version I’ve broken it way down and summarized for you:

The autism-vaccine link has been exhaustively researched more than nearly any other issue. The link suggested by Andrew Wakefield, British clinician and researcher, has been discredited buy the scientific community. His theory that the Measles, Mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine caused autism is continuing to be debunked by large-scale studies following thousands of participants in many countries.

Mayo Clinic autism researcher Dr. Sunil Mehta believes that researchers can now say with certainty that vaccines do not cause autism.

The social isolation link to autism is another theory that has also been disputed.

People are more frustrated than ever.

So what have researchers come up with?

Researchers say that if you have autism, you’re probably born with it.

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Uncategorized

How a painkiller works in the body –a TED talk

by TheVaccineMom
written by TheVaccineMom

As you may know I don’t just cover vaccines. My degree is in molecular medicine with specialties in virology, biochemistry, and immunology. And yes, I spent a majority of my time working with vaccines. I found this really great TED talk on how pain relievers work in the body and I think it’s great information to know. As with anything you put in your body (vaccines included), it’s a great idea to know why and how it works.

And if anything, you will have a little nerd information to throw into the conversation to “liven up” a party! Only kidding…please don’t talk about ibuprofen at your next dinner with friends!! You might not be invited out again. ;0)

However, do go forth in your quest for knowledge!

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Current Health-Related UpdatesUncategorized

Children are dying from Streptococcus pneumonia especially in developing countries

by TheVaccineMom
written by TheVaccineMom

The WHO estimates that globally Streptococcus pneumonia kills close to 500,000 children under 5 years annually. That’s a HUGE number. And that’s just children UNDER FIVE.

S. pneumonia can cause diseases such as pneumonia. meningitis, and bacteremia. (Refer to graphic below.) These are diseases that put babies and children in the hospital.
I’ve been hospitalized twice for pneumonia and I can’t imagine having to watch my child or any child go through such pain and suffering.

We do have a vaccine to help protect from this disease. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV)–there are two versions–have had clear public health benefits. Not only does it reduce the invasive disease in vaccinated children, but also in elderly adults who benefit from herd immunity.

Coverage is increasing globally, but it’s nowhere near optimal vaccination rates.

Most of these child deaths occur in developing countries where they do not yet have access to vaccines.

Why?

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