• Flu's not the only ill that might merit a preventive shot Sep 14, 2009
A survey released this summer by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) found that about three-quarters of American adults were extremely or very familiar with only two vaccine-preventable diseases: influenza and chickenpox ... Shingles, which is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox and results in a painful, sometimes debilitating rash, strikes fear into people who have seen its effects firsthand, but that hasn't translated into mass vaccination: Only 7 percent of... (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
More than 2,000 sick with swine flu at WSU Sep 5, 2009
Of the people that have died, many of them are younger people that never suffered through a childhood disease (like chickenpox). Their immune system is weak because it has never been utlilized. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Farmer: Vaccination vital in fighting H1N1 Aug 30, 2009
This applies not only for the H1N1 vaccine, but for MMR, for chickenpox, and for HPV (human papillomavirus). Most of us past the age of 50 bear a scar on our shoulder from receiving the smallpox vaccine when we were young. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Pools may be harmful to health Aug 30, 2009
It looks almost like chickenpox, said his father, Scott Kirkham, who filed a complaint with the health department. We were really concerned. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
U.S. Childhood Vaccine Rates Good But Could Be Better: CDC Aug 29, 2009
One or more doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. The findings of the National Immunization Survey were published Aug. 27 in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
School district retracts plan to wait for records Aug 29, 2009
Chickenpox immunization requirements. The medical term for chickenpox is varicella ... Children need two chickenpox vaccinations. (Juneau Empire)
Hundreds of kids missing vaccinations Aug 27, 2009
Hundreds of children in Juneau do not meet new state requirements for chickenpox immunization, but a district official said they will not be turned away on the first day of school ... Hundreds of children in Juneau do not meet new state requirements for chickenpox immunization, but a district official said they will not be turned away on the first day of school ... New state requirements for chickenpox immunization apply to children in kindergarten through sixth grade. (Juneau Empire)
Are your vaccinations up to date? Aug 25, 2009
Kids starting second, third and sixth grades must get one dose of the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine or document that they ve had the disease ... Parent-reported history of chickenpox is not an acceptable alternative for kids entering kindergarten and first grade. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Schools hang tough on new vaccine rules Aug 24, 2009
The flurry of activity is a result of a health department regulation adopted in 2007 requiring a second dose of the chickenpox vaccine, or proof a child has had the disease, for all students in kindergarten through grade 12. The new requirements also call for students in grade seven and higher to get a meningitis vaccine and a combination vaccine called Tdap that prevents tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, or whooping cough. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Anchorage schools send hundreds home on first day Aug 22, 2009
ANCHORAGE - Nearly 700 students who didn't have their chickenpox vaccination missed the first day of school Wednesday, the Anchorage School District said ... ANCHORAGE - Nearly 700 students who didn't have their chickenpox vaccination missed the first day of school Wednesday, the Anchorage School District said ... The chickenpox vaccine was added this year to the list of others required by the state: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. All... (Juneau Empire)
Fairbanks students excluded from class for vaccinations Aug 21, 2009
The state requires students this year to have had two doses of chickenpox vaccine. Free shots are available at the Public Health Center. (Juneau Empire)
Tardy chickenpox shots leave school desks vacant Aug 20, 2009
Nearly 700 kids missed the first day of school in Anchorage on Wednesday because they did not have their chickenpox shots despite a heavy campaign by the school district to inform parents of the new state requirement for elementary school kids ... Only elementary school pupils must have the chickenpox, or varicella, vaccine ... The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended for years that children get the chickenpox vaccine. (Anchorage Daily News)
Immunization tips for staying healthy this fall Aug 19, 2009
You can visit the website to learn about tetanus booster shots; the flu shot; hepatitis A and B vaccines; the pneumococcal vaccine; measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR); and immunizations for chickenpox and meningitis. Learn about guidelines: Hundreds of resources provide immunization and screening guidelines. (Reading Advocate, MA)
Sri Lanka: Floods Threaten Camp Detainees Aug 18, 2009
Tue, 06:26 18 Aug 2009 GMT. The views expressed are the author's alone. (AlertNet)
How to Treat Common Childhood Illne... Aug 15, 2009
Youngsters who spend time in daycare or school settings are bound to catch strep throat, pinkeye, or chickenpox at some point during their childhood ... Chickenpox in kids causes an itchy, blister-like rash on the body ... Chickenpox blisters eventually crust over and heal on their own, so unless kids have a fever of 102 degrees or higher, this common childhood illness can usually be treated at home. (Suite101.com)
ASK DR. H: Should I get shingles vaccine? Aug 13, 2009
The Zostavax vaccine, approved for folks 60 older who have a healthy immune system, can cut the risk of having an outbreak of shingles (a reactivation of the chickenpox virus) at least in half even if theyve already had a previous outbreak. Furthermore, in folks who receive the Zostavax vaccine and end up getting shingles, theres a two-thirds reduction in the incidence of post-herpetic neuralgia, a very painful, often chronic nerve pain that typically follows a bout of shingles. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
How sweet it is Aug 4, 2009
Yep wrote on Aug 3, 2009 9:29 AM:" To Seriously, chickenman has stated he is illness free and does not get sick since he eats organic foods and non pasturized milk. This seems to be the miracle cure as he states this prevents all flu's, colds, cancer, measles, mumps, chickenpox, rubella, hepatitus, the accidental tetanus and all the other things we vaccinate for. See it is funny people were dying from these before vaccines were develped and all things were grown organic since pesticidies werent... (Montrose Daily Press, CO)
Merck head of vaccines, infectious disease leaving Aug 4, 2009
Vaccines against Haemophilus influenza type B, shingles and a combination one against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox called ProQuad either were recalled or production was halted for long stretches. Zostavax, the shingles vaccine, just resumed normal shipments in June, and ProQuad is still not available, although Merck settles other vaccines that separately protect against the four childhood illnesses, Merck noted in a regulatory filing Monday. (NJ.com -- News)
New vaccinations Jul 31, 2009
The second addition is a second dose of the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine for grades pre-K through 12 ... The addition of the second chickenpox vaccine boosts the efficiency of the vaccine from around 85 percent to more than 90 percent, also according to the press release ... Exceptions will be made for an individual with a history of chickenpox or with a blood-test confirmation of immunity. (Greenville Delta Democrat Times, MS)
Hawkins lands on DL with shingles Jul 29, 2009
The infection, which is caused by the chickenpox virus, usually occurs in children and older people. Hawkins hasn't sat down in the bullpen in days because of pain and has had trouble sleeping. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Nurses available at all schools Jul 24, 2009
In addition, two immunizations against varicella (chickenpox) are required for children entering kindergarten, with another dose for grades one through nine unless a history of chickenpox is documented by a licenced physician. Three hepatitis B shots are required for all students through grade nine. (Leavenworth Lamp, KS)
Grizzled group descends on men's quarters at Wimbledon Jul 1, 2009
Ferrero of Spain, another former top-ranked player, has been in one Grand Slam quarterfinal since being sidelined with chickenpox and other physical ailments in 2004. Wild card Ferrero is up against No. 3 Andy Murray of Scotland, one of the young guns at 22 (and a week older than No. 4 Djokovic). (USA Today -- Sports)
Aspirin Strongly Implicated in Reye... Jun 29, 2009
Aspirin should be avoided for several weeks after a child has received a chickenpox vaccination or has fever symptoms, and the doctor must be given this information. OTC medications like Pepto-Bismol and anything with Wintergreen oil generally contain salicylates and should not be given to someone with either a cold or fever. (Suite101.com)
School vaccine requirements change for 09-10 Jun 25, 2009
Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, all kindergarten students will be required to have two doses of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, and two doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine prior to enrollment. Students entering the seventh grade in the 2009-2010 school year are now required to have the Meningococcal vaccine, two doses of the Varicella vaccine, and a booster dose of the Tdap (whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria) vaccine prior to... (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Public health Jun 23, 2009
Whether you travel or not, be sure that you and your family are up to date on your routine vaccinations - influenza, polio, chickenpox (or varicella), measles/ mumps/rubella (MMR), diphtheria/ pertussis/tetanus (DPT) are given at all stages of life. These vaccines are necessary for protection from diseases that are still common in many parts of the world. (Helena Independent Record)
Black And Cera: A Pre-historic "Bromance" Jun 17, 2009
" A huge fan of director Harold Ramis, Cera admits that when he was sick with the chickenpox as a child, he watched "Ghostbusters" a thousand times and that's why he decided to be an actor. "When I found out I was going to get to work with Harold, I couldn't believe it," said Cera, who he had never met him before he was cast. Cera even told Ramis the chickenpox story. "I think he knows how much 'Ghostbusters' meant to me. Just even having a voicemail from him on my phone before we were going to... (CBS News -- Entertainment)
Children required to take new vaccines Jun 4, 2009
Starting Aug. 1, K-12 students will be required to take two doses of the Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. Students entering the 1-6 and 8-12 grades must continue to meet the current requirement. (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)
CAMP CONDITIONS May 23, 2009
There is already an epidemic of chickenpox and skin diseases and a growing number of hepatitis cases because of poor sanitation. As UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon prepared to visit the camps, Oxfam called on the Sri Lankan government to allow better access to the camps and to drop its vehicle ban, which has been in place since Sunday. (AlertNet)
Pain from shingles can extend after blisters heal May 18, 2009
It is the same virus that causes chickenpox in children. Anyone who had chickenpox as a child runs the risk of developing shingles later in life ... The condition is contagious from anyone with shingles who pass it on to people who have never had chickenpox. (Erie Times-News, PA)
What Does H1N1 Influenza Mean? May 16, 2009
Additionally, the instructions for making a new virus are carried in 8 separate fragments of RNA and not in one large contiguous piece of DNA as is true for many other viruses like chickenpox. The presence of the multiple fragments means that if a cell is infected simultaneously with two different versions of influenza, the fragments can be shuffled to generate a new form. (Suite101.com)
Working hard for a dollar May 11, 2009
While in Germany, her husband had to leave for six months, and all three of her children came down with chickenpox simultaneously. Living overseas provided a crash course in culture. (The Augusta Chronicle)
'Swine flu party' a bad idea... May 8, 2009
The idea, which reportedly first surfaced on speciality Internet sites, comes from "chickenpox parties," where sick children infect healthy ones with the chickenpox virus. Parents who do this usually oppose vaccinating their children, or want them to have stronger immunity against more virulent strains. (The Drudge Report)
More Low-Income Kids Are Getting Vaccinated May 6, 2009
The gap in vaccinations between kids from low- and high-income families shrank for the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, hepatitis B immunization, and the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine. Differences between high- and low-income children's vaccination rates did not budge for the polio vaccine, and actually widened by 0. (MEDLINEplus)
Virginia Tech virologist developing more potent vaccine technology May 5, 2009
Several companies are actively working to develop cell culture based vaccines for flu, such as is already used for polio and chickenpox vaccines, for instance. "The process could someday allow us to reduce the amount of time required to make flu vaccines," said Roberts. (EurekAlert!)
Health department urges parents to vaccinate Apr 28, 2009
Because of the success of infant immunizations, vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio, chickenpox, measles, mumps, whooping cough, diphtheria, and rubella, are not as common as they once were ... Because of the success of infant immunizations, vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio, chickenpox, measles, mumps, whooping cough, diphtheria, and rubella, are not as common as they once were. (Yanceyville Caswell Messenger, NC)
Paula's Health Notes: A Shot Worth Getting Apr 28, 2009
The medical name of shingles is "herpes zoster", and is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella virus. Anyone who's had chickenpox can get shingles. (KLAS-TV.com, NV)
Prescription Painkiller Relieves Shingles Pain Apr 7, 2009
Shingles is caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and then lays dormant in nerve fibers. When it's reactivated, often by trauma or stress, the virus can produce a very painful skin eruption. (MEDLINEplus)
New immunization requirements for 2009-10 school year finalized Mar 28, 2009
A written statement from a parent (or legal guardian or managing conservator), school nurse, or physician attesting to a child's positive history of varicella disease (chickenpox), or of varicella immunity, is acceptable in lieu of either dose of varicella vaccine. Tetanus, Diphtheria and acellular pertussis-containing vaccine (Tdap): Beginning Aug. 1, 2009, all students entering the seventh grade will be required to have one dose of Tdap vaccine. (Cedar Park Hill Country News Weekender, TX)
Trial Vaccine May Protect Against Serious Viral Infection Mar 20, 2009
And unlike infection from such viruses as chickenpox and measles, people can be re-infected with CMV many years after an initial infection. Anyone can develop a CMV infection, and healthy adults and children usually don't show symptoms of the infection. (MEDLINEplus)
Vaccination rules appalling Mar 12, 2009
logancops wrote on Mar 11, 2009 11:32 AM:" I don't think that vaccines are stupid. They serve a purpose and there is no question that they have made the world a better place. Of course they have. But when they recommended number of vaccinations sharply increases, includes those for disease which are not fatal (chickenpox), includes those for diseases which no longer occur in your country (rubella), are pushed on newborns (hepb), are proven to have low efficacy rates, and costs sharply increase... (Logan Herald Journal, UT)
Local pharmacies carry shingles vaccine Mar 12, 2009
If you;ve ever had chickenpox, you might have thought that once the illness was over, you were in the clear. But the chickenpox virus doesn;t actually go away; it goes dormant in the body;s nerve cells, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ... Anybody over 60 was the initial recommendation [for the vaccine], and now it;s recommended anybody 50 and older who has had chickenpox get the vaccine,; he said. (DeKalb Daily Chronicle, IL)
Wiki health site aims to provide sound medical information Mar 6, 2009
"I found conflicting views of whether it's contagious or if it gives you chickenpox," Laundrie said ... If Medpedia had been around, Laundrie could have found the right answer: Shingles is caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus, so you can't catch shingles or give it to others ... But you could potentially spread the chickenpox virus to someone who's never been exposed to it - which is why Medpedia cautions anyone with a shingles outbreak to stay away from young children, pregnant women... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Technology)
Genetic Evidence Points To Potential Therapeutic Bypass For Autoimmune Process Mar 5, 2009
The researchers took the Carma1-deficient mice and infected them with a mouse variant of human cytomegalovirus which is related to herpes and chickenpox viruses and can remain dormant or cause serious illness in people with compromised immune systems. Although the mice lacked thymus-derived Treg cells, they still had small pools of peripheral Treg cells that greatly expanded after the animals were infected with the virus. (Science Daily)
Vaccines pose dilemma for families Mar 1, 2009
In his "selective schedule," Dr. Sears never gives more than two vaccinations per visit and delays vaccinations for measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox and hepatitis A until age 10, and then only if a child's blood tests show a lack of immunity to these diseases. Spacing out vaccines, he wrote in an e-mail, "allows parents who would otherwise refuse all vaccines to get their babies protected, and helps protect our nation as a whole by raising vaccination rates among worried parents.". (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Childhood Chicken Pox Can Lead To Shingles Later In Life Feb 25, 2009
8, 2005) The varicella vaccine is almost 90 percent effective against chickenpox, but its impact on herpes zoster (shingles) is unknown and needs wider surveillance, Yale School of Medicine researchers write. (May 22, 2008) Researchers have identified family history as one reason why some people might be more susceptible to shingles, a severe skin condition. (Science Daily)
Health & Fitness File 2-25 Feb 25, 2009
SHINGLES vaccinations: People who have had chickenpox are at risk for shingles. The risk for shingles increases as a person gets older. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
Japan's Slow Vaccine Approvals Leave Children at Risk After Drugs Scandal Feb 12, 2009
Immunization for Hib, influenza, mumps, chickenpox and hepatitis A and B dont get a full state subsidy in Japan. A course of ActHib costs about 32,000 yen ($352). (Bloomberg -- Japan)
More metro kids get shots after school crackdown Feb 11, 2009
When kindergartens and sixth graders were audited last fall, 1,482 students in Cobb and 285 in Douglas about 8 percent were missing required doses, mostly of the chickenpox vaccine, the department said ... Required shots may include measles, mumps, rubella, polio, whooping cough, chickenpox, diphtheria, tetanus and hepatitis B. Children can receive exemptions for medical or religious reasons. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
UK in trouble? Measles, antivax garbage on the rise Feb 8, 2009
When measles-if there s a case of measles at the kids school, or if there s a case of mumps or chickenpox-what do you do ... The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine for example does not just prevent chickenpox, it prevents the terrible, painful disease shingles. (Discover Magazine)
Chickenpox Vaccine Not Tied to Strokes in Kids Feb 7, 2009
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Unlike chickenpox itself, the vaccine against chickenpox does not increase the risk of stroke or brain inflammation in children, according to a large US study reported in the journal Pediatrics. Stroke is a known complication of chickenpox, a viral disease also called varicella, the study team points out. (MEDLINEplus)
