For anyone who might not already know this, a varicella (chickenpox virus)
vaccine exists! It's been available about two years and the literature is
quite positive about it.
For those who may be saying, "So what?" here's why it's important.
Those of us who do not have little ones at home are not in the vaccination
loop for the most part. And some of us have not had chickenpox as a youth.
That was the situation with my son, Zach, this Christmas holiday and thanks
to lowered immune response and the opportunity for viral exposure in the big
cities of New Haven and New York, Zach spent two pretty sick and
uncomfortable weeks just after CHristmas. Fortunately, all repaired well and
he's fit, returning to grad school only a week late. (Mom was embarrassed to
have to rent all those Jackie Chan movies and X-Files episodes but anything
in the interest of health and happiness for the son and heir...).
The moral of the story: If you or your adult child has not had chickenpox,
consult your doctor about this vaccination. It could prevent a lot of
discomfort and possibly awful side effects for adults.
Yours for health and against the pox,
Linda Pall