Category Archives: Vaccines and immunizations

Don’t let myths about vaccinations put your child at risk

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Don’t let myths about vaccinations put your child at riskVaccinations are a very safe and proven way to protect your child from diseases that can cause injury or death. They can help protect children from diseases such as:

  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Influenza
  • Whooping cough
  • Some types of bacterial pneumonia
  • Serious blood infections
  • Several types of meningitis
  • Certain liver diseases
  • Cervical cancer

Some people avoid vaccines because they believe immunizations can make you sick. This isn’t true. Most vaccines cause only minor side effects. If a child gets a disease that …Continue reading →

What’s the difference between a cold and the flu?

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Child with the fluFlu is here! If you watch the news, you know we are in the midst of the worst flu season in years. Emergency rooms are overflowing, kids and adults are missing school and work, and it’s only early January.

Why is it so bad? Influenza, the virus that causes the flu, has the ability to mutate every year. This is why everyone needs yearly flu shots. This year’s strain is …Continue reading →

It’s not too late to avoid the flu: Get vaccinated

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According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, a noticeable increase in influenza cases and associated hospitalizations nationwide — including Wisconsin — serves as a reminder that it is not too late to receive the flu vaccine.

The flu causes high fever, aches, cough and fatigue. It also can lead to pneumonia and even death. Pregnant women, infants and anyone with ongoing medical conditions such …Continue reading →

Avoid the flu: Get vaccinated

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In our region, influenza illnesses are most common in late fall and winter. The “flu” causes high fever, achiness, cough and fatigue. It also can lead to pneumonia and even death. Pregnant women, infants and anyone with ongoing medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma have a greater risk of becoming seriously ill from the infection.

The best way to make sure you and your family stay healthy is for everyone over the age of …Continue reading →

Why vaccinating family members helps protect babies

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The Los Angeles Times reported earlier this week on a study that found having older siblings already vaccinated for chickenpox reduced the likelihood of infants developing chickenpox by 90 percent. Other medical studies have shown similar large decreases in the number of infants who got sick with measles, whooping cough and the flu when their families were up to date on vaccinations. These studies are a reminder that young infants are more vulnerable to many diseases. The younger infants are when they get sick, the more likely …Continue reading this post

Whooping cough cases highlight need for vaccination

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A number of children in the Milwaukee metro area recently have been diagnosed with pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough. Whooping cough is particularly worrisome for parents of infants, because children have to be 2 months old to receive the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection. Although it first seems like a regular cold, whooping cough can turn more serious. It causes coughing so bad that it’s …Continue reading this post

Chickenpox parties should be left in the past

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Chickenpox (varicella) may seem to be just an annoying illness, but all too often it can lead to severe complications and even death. Fortunately, we have an effective and safe vaccine.

Years ago, some parents would deliberately expose their children to other kids who had an active case of chickenpox, hoping that their own child would build immunity. Today, news outlets are reporting another …Continue reading this post

Why it’s important that your family stays up-to-date on vaccines

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As you were stocking up on your back-to-school supplies, did you forget to also take stock of your children’s vaccine status? Vaccine recommendations change over time so it’s a great idea to add this item to your annual back-to-school checklist. Most Wisconsin doctors enter vaccine dates into the Wisconsin Immunization Registry, where you can review current vaccine schedules …Continue reading this post

Why you should vaccinate your preteen girl against HPV

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recently reported that only about half of teen girls in the U.S. have received the human papillomavirus vaccine. The need for this vaccine is clear. About 20 million people, most in their late teens and early 20s, are infected with …Continue reading this post

Local case of measles highlights need for vaccination

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A child in Milwaukee has been diagnosed with measles. Measles is an illness that causes high fever, bloodshot eyes, cough and a rash. In some cases, people also develop pneumonia and rarely a severe brain infection. It’s very easy to spread measles from person to person and there is no treatment. Fortunately, it’s also very easy to prevent measles. …Continue reading this post