Pox party

Pox Party is a controversial practice where parents deliberately expose their children to diseases such as chickenpox. The idea behind this practice is to ensure that their children get the disease at a young age, when it is believed to be less severe, rather than later in life.

History

The concept of a pox party dates back to before the vaccine era, when diseases like measles, mumps, and chickenpox were common childhood illnesses. Parents would intentionally expose their children to these diseases, believing that it was better for them to contract the illness at a young age.

Controversy

The practice of pox parties has been criticized by the medical community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) both strongly discourage parents from hosting or attending pox parties. They argue that these parties put children at unnecessary risk for serious complications, including encephalitis, pneumonia, and even death.

Alternatives

Instead of pox parties, the CDC and AAP recommend vaccination as the best way to protect children from diseases. Vaccines are thoroughly tested and proven to be safe and effective. They not only protect the individual who gets vaccinated, but also help to protect the community by reducing the spread of disease.

See also

• Vaccine controversy
• Herd immunity
• Infectious disease

References

Pox party Resources
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