Tag

Chickenpox

All articles tagged with #chickenpox

Florida Moves to Loosen School Vaccine Rules, Omitting Chickenpox Shot
health1 month ago

Florida Moves to Loosen School Vaccine Rules, Omitting Chickenpox Shot

Florida health officials proposed a rule to remove four vaccines from state school vaccination requirements—hepatitis B, varicella (chickenpox), Hib, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines—citing moral and ethical beliefs. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo frames the move as protecting parental rights and personal freedom, while the American Academy of Pediatrics warns it could raise illness risk, disrupt schooling and local economies. The rule has a 21-day public comment period before taking effect.

Stroke in a preschooler linked to chickenpox prompts parental warning
health1 month ago

Stroke in a preschooler linked to chickenpox prompts parental warning

A four-year-old girl in Scotland suffered a stroke months after a chickenpox infection, later found to be due to severe inflammation in a neck artery; she spent about eight weeks in hospital and is now five, walking with a walker at school after rehab. Her mother, who founded Olivia’s Steps Foundation for families of children with disabilities, urges parents to trust their instincts and seek urgent care if stroke symptoms appear, noting that signs can be subtle in children and that BE FAST (balance, eyes, face, arms, speech, time) should prompt immediate action.

Stroke in a 4-Year-Old Traced to Chickenpox, Highlighting Pediatric Risk
health2 months ago

Stroke in a 4-Year-Old Traced to Chickenpox, Highlighting Pediatric Risk

A four-year-old girl in Scotland developed a stroke months after recovering from chickenpox, with doctors linking severe inflammation in a main neck artery to the infection. She presented with vomiting, headache, left-side weakness and facial droop, required MRI, CT, lumbar puncture, and antibiotics, and spent about eight weeks in hospital before beginning rehabilitation. Her doctors confirmed the stroke was not related to her preexisting cerebral palsy, and her mother later started Olivia’s Steps Foundation to support families of children with disabilities, while experts urge recognizing stroke symptoms in kids using BE FAST.

Shingles Affects About One-Third Of Adults—What Prevents and Eases It
health4 months ago

Shingles Affects About One-Third Of Adults—What Prevents and Eases It

Shingles, a painful reactivation of the chickenpox virus, affects about one in three American adults—especially over 50—producing a blistering rash along nerves; early antiviral treatment can shorten illness and reduce postherpetic neuralgia, and the Shingrix vaccine lowers recurrence and protects those with weakened immunity. The condition can recur, so vaccination and healthy lifestyle are important.

UK to include chickenpox vaccine in routine childhood immunizations for herd immunity
health9 months ago

UK to include chickenpox vaccine in routine childhood immunizations for herd immunity

Aileen Moynagh reports on the introduction of free MMRV vaccines in Northern Ireland from January 2026 to prevent chickenpox, inspired by the severe case of Emily Walls, who nearly died from the illness as a toddler. The vaccine is highly effective and aims to reduce serious complications and hospitalizations, with health professionals emphasizing the importance of vaccination to prevent life-threatening outcomes.

CDC Updates COVID-19 and Chickenpox Vaccine Guidelines and Recommendations
health1 year ago

CDC Updates COVID-19 and Chickenpox Vaccine Guidelines and Recommendations

The CDC has updated its vaccination recommendations, now advising children under 4 to receive separate vaccines for chickenpox and MMR, and suggesting that adults under 65 decide on COVID-19 vaccination in consultation with healthcare providers. These changes have faced criticism from medical groups, citing concerns over vaccine safety and data interpretation, amid leadership changes at the CDC.

Kennedy and HHS Expand US Vaccine Advisory Committees
health1 year ago

Kennedy and HHS Expand US Vaccine Advisory Committees

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine advisory committee is set to vote on recommendations for COVID-19, hepatitis B, and chickenpox vaccines, amid concerns about potential impacts on public trust and vaccination programs, especially for low-income families. The committee, which includes anti-vaccine voices, is revisiting existing guidelines, raising questions about vaccine coverage and safety, with broader implications for public health policy.

Rising Stroke Cases in Children: Six-Year-Old's Dizzy Spell Reveals Serious Condition
health1 year ago

Rising Stroke Cases in Children: Six-Year-Old's Dizzy Spell Reveals Serious Condition

Six-year-old Ottilie Atkins suffered a life-threatening stroke after a reactivated chickenpox infection caused brain swelling. Initially thought to be exhaustion, her symptoms included dizziness and vision issues. Strokes in young people are rare but increasing, with childhood cases affecting around 400 UK children annually. Ottilie's mother, Holly, is raising awareness and funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital, emphasizing the importance of early medical intervention and the 'BE FAST' campaign for recognizing stroke symptoms.

Should Seniors Without Chickenpox History Get Shingles Vaccine?
health1 year ago

Should Seniors Without Chickenpox History Get Shingles Vaccine?

For individuals over 63 who have never had chickenpox, getting vaccinated is crucial due to the severe complications chickenpox can cause at an older age. The recommended approach is to first receive the chickenpox vaccine followed by the shingles vaccine, providing protection against both diseases. While the shingles vaccine alone is not approved for preventing chickenpox, it may offer some protection, though this is untested in healthy adults. The best course is to follow the evidence-based method of receiving both vaccines.

Washington Faces Surge in Whooping Cough Cases, Health Officials Urge Vaccination
health1 year ago

Washington Faces Surge in Whooping Cough Cases, Health Officials Urge Vaccination

Clark County, Washington, is experiencing a significant increase in whooping cough and chickenpox cases, primarily among unvaccinated children. Since the start of the year, 406 cases of whooping cough have been reported, the highest in the state, with 168 cases in the last two months alone. Chickenpox cases have also risen, with 50 reported since early 2024, including outbreaks in schools. Health officials emphasize the importance of vaccinations to prevent these outbreaks, as both diseases are highly contagious and can lead to severe complications, especially in young children.

"NYC Chickenpox Outbreak: 90% of Cases in Unvaccinated Individuals"
health2 years ago

"NYC Chickenpox Outbreak: 90% of Cases in Unvaccinated Individuals"

A chickenpox outbreak in New York City has predominantly affected unvaccinated individuals, with 91.9% of cases among those without vaccination documentation. The outbreak, identified in October 2022, primarily involves recent migrants from Central and South America living in shelters. The report underscores the importance of high vaccination coverage to prevent transmission, especially in light of ongoing importations and exposures in shelters.