I can't believe her toddler is at risk! - disadvantages of internet

@laydee (12798)
Philippines
May 23, 2011 6:55am CST
I just found out a few minutes ago that my cousin's toddler wasn't given any immunization since birth!!!! I am furious and worried! The mom is somewhat a know-it-all because of being branded as 'smart', well there's nothing wrong with that, however with the advent of internet and articles written here it seems that people feel that they're better than their doctors. The toddler is at the hospital right now because of asthma and pneumonia and we just found out now that the toddler wasn't given any kind of immunization because the mom refused to put it in him because of some articles and researches online stating the side-effects of such. I just can't believe it really. Her son is now at risk of polio (the disease that could render a kid not being able to walk - which is no longer a risk in the country and most of the countries because of the polio immunization given FREE by the government). Not to mention he's at risk of tetanus in case he's going to get wounded by anything because that too isn't there. Not to mention hepatitis and several other diseases and bacteria that could well be eliminated if only she had listened to the doctor. Worst is the fact that even if she's going to allow her son to be immunized now, it's too late for some of those vital immunization because some needs to be introduced in the baby's system a few days old. Whew! I know people would say that it's not her fault for wanting the best for the baby but I fully blame one's irresponsibility of feeling she's greater than any doctor and for those stating that organic is the only way! Oh please! Can you just snap out of those organic thinking?! Because of people writing articles of whatever because they want to fight the scientific method, a toddler's life is in trouble! Whew! Can I just suggest that if you have not studied medicine nor experienced more than 25years of medicine practice, can you just get off talking about what is good and bad??? Whew!!! I tell you I cannot contain my anger. I am furious. Worst, we cannot do anything about it!
2 people like this
5 responses
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
24 May 11
There are certain things that are good in the organic way of thinking but medical advances is not one of them. My 2 kids are up to date on their immunisation shots, and I give my kids tylenol for pain, etc, so there are many benefits of advancements in technology. Besides, anything you take will have some sort of side effect, like an herb - they're used as medicines, some people react okay to herbal treatment while others will have no effect on them at all. I'm a big fan of tea tree oil, but I also know it's an essential oil that needs to be handled with more care than most other essential oils. There are people who will break out at the contact of tea tree oil on their skin. My point is, that whichever step a person take, professional medicine or organic medicine, there's going to be side-effects on both sides. So when that lady does go "organic" there's side effects in the organic way of treatments as well, has she thought of that? I personally do lean towards the good old doctors because these people studied for years and proven results - like practically eliminating polio through vaccines. Both my kids, myself, and my husband - we're all healthy. We've been poked in the arm a good many times as well. There may be some reaction to some vaccines, but those cases far outweigh the risks of not taking them. You really can't avoid every little evil in the world, I know it sounds cold and harsh, but well, nature can be cold and harsh at times as well, as much as we don't like it.
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
24 May 11
I meant - the risk of NOT taking them far outweigh the risk of reactions from the shots. Sorry, it's late here, I've got a nasty head cold sometimes my words don't come out when I'm in a rambling mode under cold symptions *blush*
1 person likes this
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
28 May 11
That is actually our point, the risks that the child faces by not giving him immunization is actually heavier compared to the possible side-effects those meds bring. It's sad really but I guess there are still hope because the Pedia said that they could still immunize him - but the mother still thinks she and her husband needs to talk about it. Whew.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
24 May 11
OMG! What a very irresponsible mom that woman is. When my daughter was still a baby, she was given a baby book, where the records of all her immunization was there. The doctor would always inform us if she is due for another type of vaccination. It's the doctor who knows best for the baby this time, not the mother!
1 person likes this
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
24 May 11
Don't get me wrong, I know she meant no harm, I'm pretty sure she got a baby book as well but I guess she thought that scientific medicine just had too many risks and side-effects that she forgot that they are there to protect in the first place. The doctor even told her that even she (the doctor) immunizes all her kids even if she knows more about the side effects because she's been exposed to it and studied it for a long time! Whew!
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
25 May 11
Well, there are really people who thinks like that. I pity the child for not having those necessary immunizations. I just hope the baby will get better even without them though.
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
23 May 11
Hi. laydee. This is such a shame! How can this mom not take her child to the doctor at all. I am no medical doctor, nor will I ever be one, but I have sense enough to know that my child will need all of their immunizations when they first are born. I have three kids and all of my children are up to date with their immunizations. Every time that I take them to the doctor, I make sure that I ask their Pediatrician if it is time for my child to get another immunization. Your cousin, should know better than to rely on any articles online about what consequences that side effects can bring upon a child when they receive immunization shots. I have watched all of my kids get all of their immunization shots. It wasn't easy, because they were scared and they cried so much. I knew that if they did not get any immunization shots, they would be more prone to contracting severe illnesses and diseases. I am so sorry that her toddler may suffer and he is now at risk for Polio and the Tetanus shot too. His mom should have been taking her son to the doctor. She is not smarter than the doctors, doesn't she see this already? I am very sorry that your cousin was trying to play God. She has to understand that she will have to be a mother and do what is right. Her son should not have to suffer for her negligence.
@Lexus656 (672)
• United States
23 May 11
It is a shame that she never takes him to the doctor but shes his mom and she has the right to decide whats best foe her son.
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
24 May 11
I think she's already seeing it now that he was hospitalized for pneumonia. I just regretted thinking that nobody in our clan knew about this and intervened. My family are all medical practitioners of varied fields and we were shocked to find out that she didn't immunize the baby - not a single one. The toddler is fine now and is better. I'm just worried that his body wasn't built to fight diseases, I'm hoping they won't need to panic again if some stronger strain comes to their life. Anyway, our pediatrician aunt told us that there are still some of the shots that he could take now at 2years of age but sadly those vital cannot be. I guess that is the risk they have to take. Yes Lexus, she has the right to decide what's best for her son but I'm just sorry that she didn't attempt to ask about it instead of just reading it off some site - regardless if the author was a doctor or not, remember that there are varied health issues per country and different ways to manage it as well. She could have only asked, it's free anyway.
24 May 11
moms should concern less with their childrens choices
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
24 May 11
hello laydee, So,what did your cousin read about the side effects? Why she believes from what she reads and not think what those immunizations has ever gave to us,to her and all the people and kids around her. Now,does the article she has read will helped her? I also feels bad upon reading this. I am a mother of 3 kids and i am alone,my mother in law though she comes each time i gave birth but not all the time to give me the assistance that i need being a mother. I also read health care for babies,but i always find and asks second opinion from doctors and friends who are into medical. I hope your cousin knows what she's doing,or might she will listens to those people who knows better and not just believing what she reads without confirmation.
1 person likes this
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
28 May 11
I don't really know what her claims were as to the side-effects because I didn't get the first-hand information about her not immunizing the toddler, it was actually from the grandmother. But my partner told me that he had come across a site stating and showing the ill-effects or side-effects of the immunization and medicines that we take. He says there are those effects wherein we are said to have a lot of toxins in our body and it kills our natural antibodies and stuff.
@ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
24 May 11
For me yes you have two options here advantage and dis advantage if you got wrong way you enter the world of risk.