[luvSMG]

I didn't want to thread jack the other post. May I ask why you decided to do the tetanus vax? I think Cheryl did the same with Cadie (no other vax but tetanus) and I was just curious why.

I've only recently started considering this one, too. My understanding is that tetanus needs an anaerobic environment to thrive in. For example, if you got dirt (that contained spores) in a cut that wasn't bleeding/oxygenated.

Sam (because of her eczema) gets really, really bad cracks in her feet.. in her hands too, though not as bad. Since they aren't actively bleeding, I am concerned about tetanus infection.

Again, I have to do more research. It's sad, but I don't rely on doctors for proper advice.

Editing topic because it's just one Heather!

[kristenpie]

good question. from my understanding, tetanus is one of those things that's easy to treat and prevent so whenever we have a cut we do a thorough job of washing with antibacterial and then triple antibiotic for a few days. i had not realized you could get tetanus from dry cracked skin.

[IneedCoffee]

I have thought long and hard about it... and decided to do the tetanus because of two main factors. 1) soccer .. and 2) our gardening. We are playing in dirt 3-4 times a week and she is a very clumsy girl just like me, so she always has open wounds somewhere on her body. With gardening, you are dealing with a lot of "organic" matter... and well, it's riskier in my opinion. Also her dad is a mechanic, and there are always rusty things around the garage where she likes to help him. Then comes soccer... it is old news, but back in the day the majority of deaths in soccer players was from tetanus (pre vaccine). That part might be just paranoia on my part, but with her being non-vaccinated, she is at risk...IMO. Overall my reasoning is that she is a tomboy, and tetanus hits quickly, and in most cases is severe before a person even knows what is going on. I am looking at vaccines that can protect my kiddo from death and neurological damage, but the rest that prevent her from getting common illnesses are stupid in my book. Everyone gets the flu, and other viruses. If it is something that will cause her long-term damage or death, then I will look into a prevention.. and that is where I am right now.

[luvSMG]

Kristen - I think it can even enter through a burn wound. It's the wounds that don't bleed that cause it to thrive and are of more concern. I'm not sure it would thrive as much (or at all??) in a shallow wound. I have to look into it more.

Heather, that makes sense. It's basically the same reasons that I'm concerned about it, too.

[IneedCoffee]

It can enter anywhere there is a direct pathway to the blood stream. As long as there is an opening, the bacteria can enter.

[IneedCoffee]

We will probably be doing Polio also, only because of our proximity to Mexico. Mexico still uses the old version of the live polio vaccine .. and also does not mandate vaccinations (3rd world + disease+improper vaccinations+decades and decades=bad). The incubation period of polio is 30 days or so.. plenty of time to bring and spread the disease along the border. I know not everyone agrees with this, but it is what we plan to do. I have waited 4 years and am very selective about what will take place with my child. It is not an easy decision.. but she is my child, and my only child. I think being non-vac has it's risks.. just like having vaccinations does. This is about as far as we are going with vaccinations until later in her life.

[luvSMG]

You won't get any judgement from me! I think everyone has to do what they think is best for their child.