Recent media discussion on vaccines, autism, and parental vaccine safety concerns

Communicable Diseases

The MMR vaccine is an immunization against measles, mumps and Rubella. Recently there has been increased media coverage that there is a link between the combined MMR immunization and autism (NHS choices, 2012).This MMR vaccine controversy was a case of scientific misconduct that triggered a health Scare among many communities all over the world. Though there has been extensive research worldwide that has shown no link between MMR vaccines and autism. These speculations have had a great impact on parents and the community at large. First this has led to a sharp decrease of parents taking their children for vaccination. This is due to the fact that parents remain skeptical when it comes to the vaccines and they think by abstaining from the vaccine they are helping their children but in the real sense they are actually causing harm to their children. The decreased number of children receiving immunization has led to significant increase of incidences of measles, mumps, whooping cough and other diseases that can be prevented through vaccination. This has resulted to deaths and permanent injuries to children all over the community. Doctors however are taking the initiative to create awareness in the community on the importance of vaccination and dispelling any fears in parents concerning the link of autism and vaccination or any other myths that are attached to vaccination.

Other than the misconceptions that have been put up the MMR vaccine is very safe. There are many safety outcomes in the MMR vaccine studies, the evidence of the safety and effectiveness of MMR in disease prevention has led to its global use. On an overall basis the vaccine is safe save for some tiny side effects like fever development, slight loss of appetite and possible development of rashes all over the body. The chances of babies developing complications from the vaccine is very low and but the risks from the diseases being vaccinated against are life threatening hence parents should be encouraged to take their children for immunization (Med, 2001)

Communicable diseases are those that can be transmitted from one person to another an example of a communicable disease is Botulism which is a paralytic illness that is caused by nerve toxins produced by the bacteria clostridium botulinum. It takes five forms; foodborne botulism, wound botulism, infant botulism, adult intestinal botulism and iatrogenic botulism (Centre for disease control, 2012).There are some preventive strategies that can be used to prevent botulism these are primary levels of prevention. This emphasizes on the general promotion of health, reducing risk factors and other heath protective measures. They include health education and promotion programs on the factors that cause botulism. These include following of strict hygiene procedures so that there can be prevention of food contamination hence prevent foodborne botulism. There should also be boiling of foods since the toxin is destroyed by high temperatures.

The secondary prevention involves early detection and prompt treatment of the disease. The purpose of this measure is to cure the disease, slow down the rate of progression of botulism and reduce its impact on individuals or communities at large. There can be tests like brain scan, spinal fluid examination, nerve conduction test so that the symptoms displayed can be separated from other diseases with similar primary symptoms. This ensures that botulism is diagnosed early and hence early treatment is to commence.