UPDATE from the Fairfax County: The confirmatory test result for the suspected measles case has come back negative. Although this was not a positive case, residents are reminded of the ongoing multi-state measles outbreak and are encouraged to check their vaccination status and contact their healthcare provider if they have questions.

The Fairfax County Health Department has identified a suspected case of measles in a Fairfax County resident.  The case is being investigated and it will take 24 hours for test results to confirm or rule out the disease.

If the case is positive, a press conference will be held Wednesday, Feb 11 with further information.

From the Fairfax County website:

People who have received at least one dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine in the past are at very low risk of being infected with measles. Measles is easily preventable through safe and effective MMR vaccine. The best protection against future measles cases is the on-time vaccination of all susceptible people.

Measles is a highly contagious illness that is spread through coughing, sneezing and contact with secretions from the nose, mouth and throat of an infected individual. Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough.  The second stage begins around the third to seventh day when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads over the entire body.

If confirmed, this would be the first case of the measles in Virginia this year.

According to the CDC, 17 states and Washington D.C. have confirmed cases of measles from January 1- February 6, 2015.  85% of the cases are are a result of a large,  multi-state outbreak linked to an outbreak at Disney World.  As of today, the CDC website has yet to update to include Georgia in it’s count which has since confirmed it’s first case of measles in 3 years.

Visit the CDC’s website for more information about the measles outbreak.

Photo via Todd Huffman, Flickr Creative Commons

It always strikes me when somebody writes, says, thinks or clearly implies that some children (usually their own) are more special than other children.

They think some children deserve special treatment, special inclusion or exclusion, or special consideration.

It stirs something in me from when I was little, growing up with my brother who is disabled. I’m told that people would look at him strange or say things, and I would defend him even at a very young age. But it also frustrated me to see him get affection from adults that was not bestowed upon me. Some adults seemed to see me as having the more special attributes, and some saw him as more special.

I have always thought we were equally special.

It also stirs something in me that is driven by the values of justice, equality and empathy.

I feel like stories pop up about this all the time.  For example, stories of parents who engage in bullying behavior against other children on behalf of their own child, or try to get a teacher to change a grade for their own child when others don’t have the same opportunity.

But this week, it’s cropping up again in stories about the measles outbreak.

Here is a quote from a doctor in the headlines this week:

The overwhelming sentiment from the medical community is that the measles vaccine is safe and effective. But Arizona cardiologist Dr. Jack Wolfson is a rare voice of dissent.

“It’s a very unfortunate thing that people die, but unfortunately people die,” Wolfson said. “And I’m not going to put my child at risk to save another child.”

Boiled down: He thinks taking a very small nonfatal risk in vaccinating his child is not worth potentially saving the life of somebody else’s child, even if hundreds of thousands of people have done it for the greater good.  He thinks his children deserve special exclusion.

For some families (who have no medical reason to not vaccinate), the fact that vaccinating their own children will protect other peoples’ children (and consequently their own children) is not a motivating factor.  Why is that?

I’m reminded of the Albert Einstein quote:
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

I feel that way about children. There are only two ways to live your life. One as if no children are special. The other is though all children are special.

I choose to see all children as special, and try to act accordingly.

I reject the idea that some children deserve special treatment and others do not.

You can’t see one child as worthy of love, affection and protection and another as not.

You can’t see one child as worthy of investment and another as not.

You can’t raise up one child who has visible gifts or talents, and ignore another child whose gifts and talents may not be as visible.

Yes, you will likely love your own children more.  Yes of course, you will not put them in harm’s way unnecessarily.  But enduring a little inconvenience or discomfort so that all children (and society) may benefit?  Yes, please.  Not approaching life decisions this way sets up a “I’m just out for me and my family” versus a “We’re all in this together for the greater good” mentality.

When the chips are down, or an epidemic is raging, or we’re electing people to public office, or a family is in crisis and needs support… which camp would you rather be in?

Yes your child is special. But mine is too.  And all the children alive today everywhere.  And we should all act in the best interest of protecting and promoting the health and well being of all children.

Because all children are special.

Somewhere down the line, however, things got ugly.
Now it’s not uncommon that I see pictures like this:

… “dead child”

Now, I am all for well placed hyperbole, but, seriously?

Let’s take a leap of faith in humanity and make the general assumption that the vast majority of parents don’t “want their kids to die” -as this common meme suggests.

Parents are confused.  It’s hard to differentiate accurate from inaccurate information; when it comes to the topic of vaccinations, we have a problem.

Yes, the CDC says vaccinations are safe for children, but parents are still getting conflicting information.
(Remember, we are taking the leap of faith that parents like their kids and want the best)
And the conflicting information is not just from internet memes; there are hundreds of books on vaccines, both pro and con, and they are all telling parents different stuff.

You also hear the horror stories.
Then you read the articles that say the horror stories are all a lie.
Then a friend scares you with all the perfectly acceptable medical practices that are now known to be really bad for you.

Now, instead of trying to get out good information or have a conversation about the subject, we’ve turned to making vaccines another way in which we judge other parents.  It’s the dos vs. the do nots, and each side is calling the other side an idiot.

Is it too much to ask for adults to actually behave like adults?

There is a lot to think about when it comes to vaccines and kids; whether or not you decide to vaccinate, or not vaccinate, the name calling, exaggerations and nastiness (on both sides) isn’t helping anyone.

So, please, in the comments below, share your thoughts.  What are your instincts, which sources do you trust, and ultimately, what guides your decision?

But let’s try to be civil. My opinion has never, ever been changed by a meme, and certainly not by an insult.

There are over 100 different types of HPV. Approximately 40 of the types infect the genital areas of men and women. Approximately 12 types of HPV are known to cause genital warts and approximately 15 types are linked to cancer of the anus, cervix, vulva, vagina and penis.

Since HPV is so common, it is important for both women and men to take preventative measures to minimize their risk of infection. Individuals can help reduce the risk of infection by limiting his or her number of sexual partners, using condoms during sexual intercourse and getting vaccinated.

Gardasil, a vaccine that is approved for females and males ages nine to 26, protects against four strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Virginia Women’s Center was the only research site in the Richmond area involved in the clinical trial leading to the approval of the Gardasil vaccine in 2006. In females, Gardasil helps protect against the two types of HPV that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases and two additional types that cause 90 percent of genital warts cases. In males, Gardasil helps protect against 90 percent of genital warts cases.

Gardasil is ideally given to patients before they become sexually active. The vaccine is given in three shots over a period of six months. Routine vaccination is recommended for boys and girls at age 11-12. However, it is also recommended for older teens and young adults who were not vaccinated when younger.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced in June 2013 that a new study shows that HPV in young women (ages 14 to 19) has declined by more than half since the vaccine was introduced in 2006. This is encouraging news despite the fact that only one-third of eligible patients have received all three doses of the vaccine.  Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, director of the CDC said of the results, “They should be a wake-up call that we need to increase vaccination rates. The bottom line is this: It is possible to protect the next generation from cancer, and we need to do it.”

To learn more about Gardasil, visit our Web site or speak with your health care provider.

Patients who have an appointment with our practice during flu season will be able to receive the vaccine for the influenza virus. All doses that we have available for the 2012-2013 flu season are the inactivated form of the vaccine and are preservative-free.

Vaccines for the seasonal influenza virus are often also available at primary-care physician offices, through your job, local pharmacies and some grocery stores.

In line with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, our practice suggests the following:

If you will be attempting pregnancy, are currently pregnant (in any trimester) or breastfeeding during flu season (October through March) the seasonal flu shot is recommended. The vaccine poses no danger to the baby, and you cannot get the seasonal flu from the seasonal flu shot. Pregnant women should not have the “live” or activated seasonal influenza vaccine which comes in nasal spray form.

It is especially important that our pregnant patients receive the flu vaccine. In addition to protecting the mother, the vaccine will also protect her unborn baby during pregnancy and after birth. Because of the changes that occur during pregnancy, the flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women and pregnant women who have the flu have a greater chance of having serious problems with their unborn babies, including miscarriage or preterm birth.

Even if you received the flu vaccine last year, it is important to have annual vaccination as the virus can change from year to year and the vaccine becomes less effective over time.

Virginia Women’s Center is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

Does HPV promote promiscuity among young teens?

As grandparents and parents, many of us were never exposed to the HPV vaccine that is required for Virginia girls. The vaccine is required as a way to fight against sexually transmitted disease for 11 and 12-year old’s and has been mandated since 2008.

Now, the law is up for debate and questions are being raised.

There is a bill circulating that may have the mandatory vaccination law removed. The bill is sponsored by delegate Kathy Byron, R-Lynchburg. She believes this is an example of government intrusion into the lives of private families. She also cites concerns about the unknown effectiveness and long-term safety of the vaccine. But are these concerns justified?

Parental rights

The main concern from bill supporters is that it does not allow parents the freedom to make decisions for their own children (although they can opt-out). They also worry that there is a division in the medical community about whether or not the HPV vaccine is safe and effective, which causes lots of confusion.

It appears that Virginia is the only state that currently mandates the vaccine. However, parents do have the right to opt-out of the vaccination program.

Concerns and dilemmas

Many argue that the vaccination promotes promiscuity and allows young girls to feel safe having sex at an early age.

Medical proponents of the vaccine remind parents that the HPV vaccine can also prevent up to 70% of cervical cancers so that goes in the plus column for the vaccine.

It’s an interesting and confusing dilemma for parents and one that requires some thought and evaluation. If you have young girls who are nearing the age when the vaccine is being offered, you should make an informed choice about whether or not it’s right for your child or grandchild.

Get the HPV vaccine facts and make informed decisions. The HCA Virginia Health System also offers valuable information on this vaccine.

Your opinion?

We’d like to know what you think about the HPV vaccine. As Richmondmoms and RichmondGRANDmoms, your opinion matters and may help others who are grappling with what to do. Leave a comment and let us know what you think.

And always, make decisions that are best for your child’s individual situation.