Diplomate, Board Certification of Emergency Medicine
Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine Ma'ayenei Hayeshua
Hospital
Childhood Diseases and Vaccines
While vaccines have helped greatly in the prevention of
disease, these still do exist. Jonas Salk made a major step
in controlling a disease that caused paralysis, called
poliomyelitis or polio for short. This virus liked water, and
people who used public swimming pools were occasionally
stricken. The most famous victim was President Roosevelt, who
contracted the disease as an adult. Sabin discovered an oral
vaccine and both are now given.
Tetanus is a paralytic disease as well, although it passes if
treated correctly. Often the patients need to be put on
respirators until the disease passes. The bacterium is not
only on rusty nails; it is on our skin and waits for a cut to
infect. Most young people are vaccinated, so this is becoming
a disease of the elderly. It is often given with diphtheria
and whooping cough vaccine as one vaccine.
Diphtheria is mentioned in the gemora where it was
known as askara. It forms a membrane on the throat and
chokes the patient to death. It is making a comeback in
Russia, where many people do not get vaccinated. Whooping
cough is not usually a dangerous disease but it is
debilitating, and while it was dropped from the series for a
while, it has been reinstated.
Measles, mumps and rubella are viral diseases with rashes. We
rarely see them anymore due to vaccination. Measles is by far
the most dangerous of these three. Hepatitis A is not
dangerous, other than dehydration, but it is debilitating.
There is intense weakness for a long time. Hepatitis B may
lead to liver failure, although it is rare in the religious
community.
These are all the required shots. There is no cure for any of
these diseases, although antibiotics may help some. Missed
shots should be made up as soon as possible. Runny nose is
not a reason not to give a shot, but fever is. Newborns are
less susceptible to disease if they are nursed, but in any
case quarantining sick children and keeping them away from
babies less than one year old is prudent, as even vaccines
are not as effective below this age.
Chicken pox vaccine is now being recommended in Israel. Its
effectiveness and safety record are quite impressive. It is
given once, and, while I do not generally recommend the
Kupahs, supplemental insurance, they will cover it. It is a
Glaxo product and, while this may indicate bias on my part,
be it known that this recommendation is by the Israel
Pediatric Association as well. The big problem is that
chicken pox can be dangerous, especially in an adult.
I thank Dr. Ophira Kahane for her help with this column. She
also wanted me to remind all my readers that iron is needed
for all newborns. I'll add to remember that iron is binding
and can cause constipation.
I hope this answers readers' questions. Next week we deal
with more letters. Write me in care of the Yated.
GlaxoSmithKline sponsors this column.
