Autism vaccine: How Vaccines Can Protect You From These Deadly Diseases
What is a vaccine? A vaccine is simply a chemical preparation that offers effective, specific, directed immunity to any infectious agent. A vaccine generally contains an antigen that simulates an illness-producing microbe and is frequently produced by diluted or destroyed forms of this microbe, its proteins, or some of its toxin. To induce protective immunity, the immune system divides its antibodies (action compounds) into clumps so that they can then bind together with antigens that have matching symptoms with that of the illness being protected. In some cases, the vaccine produces only partial immune responses; additional doses are required.
There are many types of childhood vaccines; most are based on the live virus pathogen, which is usually a strain of chicken pox or rabies. Although these diseases are extremely rare, as a result of intense research and rigorous clinical trials, vaccines for these viruses are constantly being evaluated in terms of side effects, complications, and reactions. It is extremely rare for serious adverse events to occur with any of these vaccines. In general most vaccines cause mild or moderate fever, loss of appetite, headache, nausea, and swelling of the cheeks and/or gastrointestinal tract.
Some of these diseases, like measles and MMR (mumps) cause quite serious complications, such as encephalopathy–a condition where the brain becomes damaged. Other vaccines have caused outbreaks of meningitis and similar diseases. The recent measles outbreak, which resulted in approximately thirty cases of highly contagious measles, was the largest ever. While none of these diseases pose any immediate risk to children, they can be life threatening to adults. For this reason, it is vitally important that sufficient numbers of vaccines are available for each population, and that the appropriate quantities are distributed promptly when outbreaks of diseases begin.
Currently, there is not a vaccine to prevent autism. However, there are vaccines available that can reduce the symptoms associated with this disease and increase the odds that a child will remain healthy through the age of twenty-five. Autism is a complex disorder that causes many diverse symptoms, including emotional disturbances, impaired social skills, and a loss in various aspects of cognitive development. By studying autism more carefully, researchers have identified some specific genetic or biological mechanisms that may be involved in its formation.
A recently developed vaccine combines small amounts of mercury and a laboratory strain of the different bacteria that has been shown to efficiently stimulate the immune system. This vaccine, known as therixovirus, has been shown to greatly reduce the risks of autism in children and increase their general wellness. Since this vaccine does not contain any mercury, it is considered safe for pregnant women and children.
While this new vaccine is not a perfect treatment for autism, it is an exciting step forward in medical research. Although no cure has been found for these types of diseases, vaccines can greatly reduce their severity and improve their overall health. In the end, the benefits of these vaccinations far outweigh the risks, and the ability to protect ourselves and our children from these deadly and debilitating diseases. With so many childhood diseases out there, it’s important that we take every measure necessary to keep ourselves and our children healthy.