Parents Warned Against Chicken Pox-Laced Lollipops, Parties (ContributorNetwork)

To avoid having children vaccinated against chickenpox and to get children through the illness at a young age, some parents are taking extreme measures. For decades, parents have purposely exposed kids to the virus via "chickenpox parties." Now some are sharing chickenpox-tainted lollipops. Here are facts about chickenpox and parent advisories about pox sharing.

Chickenpox and children

Chickenpox is a highly contagious illness. Children who get chickenpox before they are 1 year old might not have full immunity. It is generally a one-time illness. Those who don't get chickenpox until their teens or into adulthood run a higher risk for advanced or life-threatening complications.

Parent concerns about vaccine

Some parents avoid the chickenpox vaccine. They fear that along with overuse of antibiotic, vaccinating against less-serious childhood illnesses leads stronger forms of disease. There is also concern about the mercury used to preserve vaccines. Several researchers, including Dr. Andrew Wakefield and Sallie Bernard, author of "Autism: A Unique Type of Mercury Poisoning," linked mercury in vaccines to increased instances of autism. The American Academy of Pediatrics questioned these findings. In 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention debunked them after outbreaks of measles, mumps and rubella were caused by parents avoiding immunizations.

Chickenpox pops

Chickenpox sharing has became popular with some. Chickenpox pops take germ-sharing to another level. Parents with ill children mail the infected suckers that their children have licked to parents whose children have not had chickenpox. David Boling, a federal prosecutor in Nashville, Tenn., warns parents that sending a virus by mail is illegal. It is also unlawful to tamper with consumer products and then sell or distribute them.

Health warnings

Everyday Health warns parents about health risks, not only from sharing chickenpox, but from avoiding the vaccine. Kids aren't just passing chickenpox; they might also spread influenza, pneumonia and other contagious diseases. Lesions are uncomfortable, painful and can cause scarring. Children can also develop shingles with chickenpox. Ten percent of kids will develop other complications like pneumonia, secondary skin lesions, dehydration, or, in rare cases, encephalitis. The vaccination is 80 percent to 90 percent effective, the CDC says.

Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes about parenting from 23 years raising four children and 25 years teaching K-8, special needs, adult education and home-school.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/parenting/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20111115/hl_ac/10428837_parents_warned_against_chicken_poxlaced_lollipops_parties

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