What Your Doctor May Not Tell You....

[Guest guest]

Well, if it's written by a doctor, maybe people will give it more credence.

I think that if I could tell people just one thing, it'd probably be to

not have multiple vaccinations in one visit.

Tami

http://babyparenting.about.com/library/weekly/aa101601a.htm

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You...

Book review: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About

Children's Vaccinations, by Cave, M.D., F.A.A.F.P

and Deborah .

by Lynn M.

When it comes to childhood

immunizations, parents are often confused

and concerned about their safety. In light

of the on-going debates surrounding many

adverse reactions linked to vaccines, their

worries are understandable.

To address the concerns, Cave,

M.D., F.A.A.F.P, " an expert on pediatric

vaccinations, " and Deborah , a

medical writer and journalist specializing in

complementary medicine and nutrition topics, have written an

exceptional new resource entitled, What Your Doctor May

Not Tell

You About Children's Vaccinations. This book is a real

eye-opener

for those who hold blind faith in childhood

immunizations, and it

provides some sound advice for parents who want to play

an active

role in reducing the risk of vaccine injury to their

children.

As an introduction, Cave covers the

history of vaccines, how vaccines are

developed and what types of adverse

reactions can possibly occur from

vaccinations. For instance, potential

dangers of Mercury and

Thermosal-containing vaccines are detailed, and Cave

suggests

that parents should ask their pediatricians for mercury-free

vaccines, as many mercury-containing vaccines are still

on the

market. This book offers compelling discussion on the

possible links

between immunizations and autism, ADD, juvenile diabetes,

asthma,

allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, arthritis and

SIDS, which may

leave even the most skeptical contemplating the

possibilities.

Given that most children are subject to about

thirty-three doses of

10 different vaccines by they time they reach age five,

the issue of

over-vaccinating concerns many parents. Interestingly,

Cave talks

about titers, " the measurement of the amount or

concentration of a

substance in a solution, " as a means of determining

whether or not

a booster may be needed.

" Unfortunately, " says Cave, " doctor's don't usually check

a person's

titers before giving a (vaccine) booster. If the practice

of checking

titers were put into place, we would probably be able to

eliminate

some of the boosters now being given to our children, and

thus

reduce the risk of adverse effects. " She suggests that

parents

consider requesting their child's titers be checked

before getting a

booster.

On the other end of the dosage spectrum, is the practice of

multiple-dosing, which commonly occurs when missed

vaccinations

are combined and given in one sitting. Cave believes this

practice

may cause serious problems for children. She also expresses

concerns shared among many critics of multiple-dosing

about the

current research and development of more combination

vaccines.

No one, including Cave, " is suggesting that we stop all

vaccinations

and return to the days when the United States was plagued

with

smallpox, polio, diphtheria and whooping cough. " However,

she,

" along with a growing number of doctors, researchers and

medical

professionals, believe we cannot turn a blind eye to the

rise in

chronic childhood medical conditions that parallel the

increase in

mandated vaccinations, " which are ultimately increasing

vaccination

rates.

To clarify current recommendations, this book holds a

concise guide

to each of the recommended vaccines, including scheduling

and

known adverse reactions. Cave also gives the reader a

look at some

future vaccines, dozens of which will soon emerge, making

it even

more important that we, " watch how these new vaccines

develop

and be mindful of the ethical guidelines that need to

develop along

with them, " says Cave.

For easy reference, a long list of related medical

associations and

organizations is included, along with details of parent's

rights,

immunization laws and steps that parents can take to reduce

vaccine injury to their children.

The bottom line is that parents be informed. Cave

suggests, " Learn

all you can about the risks and benefits of any vaccine

you are

considering. Do not be satisfied with information from

only one side

of the issue. " Reading this book is certainly one very

postive step

toward that end.

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's

Vaccinations,

by Cave, M.D., F. A.A.F.P. and Deborah

, Warner

Books, 2001. ISBN: 0446677078 $13.95/U.S. $19.95/CAN, 512

pages