Blog
- Water on the brain (hydrocephalus) is a serious condition that can cause brain damage
Sep 21, 2011
“Water on the brain” or hydrocephalus is a potentially debilitating condition. Let’s break down this disease into five concepts. Your brain sits inside of your the skull Your brain is “floating” in a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid Cerebrospinal fluid does not leak out of your nose, mouth or ears (the visible holes in your skull) If there is too much cerebrospinal fluid in your skull it could damage your brain Hydrocephalus occurs when cerebrospinal fluid...Read More - Eye Infection, Facial Swelling, Breathing Problems After Flu Shot
Sep 17, 2011
During the 2000–2001 influenza immunization campaign, a newly identified oculo-respiratory syndrome (ORS) emerged in Canada as an adverse effect associated with one manufacturer’s influenza vaccine. This signal was detected within days of starting the immunization campaign—a credit to the sensitivity of vaccine adverse event surveillance in Canada. In part, rapid notification was related to the fact that health care workers were the first to be immunized. The original case definition for ORS specified bilateral conjunctivitis,...Read More - Contraindications and precautions of the Rotavirus vaccine
Aug 29, 2011
Rotaviruses are intestinal viruses that infect virtually all children by three years of age. It is the most common cause of diarrhea in children including hospital-acquired diarrhea; childcare center outbreaks are common. The illness often also includes fever and vomiting, lasts a week or longer and can cause persistent infection in immunocompromised people. In order to prevent and combat against this virus, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that “all full term...Read More - Contraindications and precautions of the MMR vaccine
Aug 25, 2011
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, all infants 12 months of age or older and susceptible adults who do not have documented evidence of measles immunity, such as a blood test showing the presence of measles antibody or proof of receiving 2 doses of measles vaccine, are recommended to receive the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)vaccine. The National Network for Immunization Information website states, “Immunity against measles is particularly important for adults at...Read More - Contradictions and precautions of the DTaP
Aug 24, 2011
Although literature found online states, “All people need protection against these three diseases—diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Routine booster doses are also needed throughout life.” This is not necessarily true. There are some people that DTaP/Tdap, vaccine is contraindicated, meaning absolutely inadvisable and then there are some that should proceed with caution. According to the Immunization Action Coalition, DTaP is inadvisable if the patient has a history of a serious reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous...Read More - Three common vaccine related nerve conditions
Aug 24, 2011
There are 3 common nerve conditions that have been linked to vaccinations. They are Guillain-Barre syndrome, also known as GBS, Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, known as CIDP, and Brachial Neuritis. For this article, let’s look at what each condition entails. Guillain-Barre syndrome is a serious disorder that occurs when the body’s defense (immune) system mistakenly attacks part of the nervous system. This leads to nerve inflammation that causes muscle weakness. It is an autoimmune disorder...Read More - Contraindications vs. precautions, what’s the difference?
Aug 24, 2011
What is a contraindication? What is a precaution? When it comes to vaccine and drug labels there are a lot of confusing words thrown around. Let’s look at what is a contraindication when it comes to vaccines and then what’s the difference between contraindications and precautions. Contraindication A contraindication is any condition or circumstance where the use of a specific treatment, drug, or vaccine is not advised because it could harm the person. There are...Read More - Guillain-Barré syndrome a result of the 1976 swine flu panic
Aug 17, 2011
The swine flu brush of 1976 holds crucial lessons for the government and health officials. The panic in 1976 was partly because of the belief — now known to be erroneous — that the 1918-19 flu pandemic, which killed half a million Americans and as many as 50 million worldwide, was caused by a virus with swine components. Recent research suggests instead that it was avian flu, but that seems unlikely to assuage the current...Read More - Vaccine related nerve damage called ADEM
Aug 16, 2011
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a nonvasculitic inflammatory demyelinating condition that bears a striking clinical and pathological resemblance to multiple sclerosis (MS). It is characterized by a brief but intense attack of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord that damages myelin – the protective covering of nerve fibers. It often follows viral infection, or less often, vaccination for measles, mumps, or rubella. The symptoms of ADEM come on quickly, beginning with encephalitis-like symptoms such...Read More - Signs and symptoms of adverse reactions to Meningococcal vaccine
Aug 6, 2011
Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness. It is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children 2 through 18 years old in the United States. Meningitis is an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningococcal disease also causes blood infections. About 1,000 – 2,600 people get meningococcal disease each year in the U.S. Even when they are treated with antibiotics, 10-15% of these people die. Of those who survive, another...Read More