Hospitals Foist Tdap Vaccine On New Mothers

An article posted at HattiesburgAmerican.com reports that Forrest General, a hospital in south Mississippi, is trying to push new mothers into having the Tdap vaccine (which immunizes for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) before they leave the hospital. Another article reports that the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) requires mothers who don't want the vaccine to opt out in advance. It is very important for new mothers to be aware that many hospitals, in an attempt to raise more quick revenue for the hospital, may soon be adopting this practice, informing the mothers that it is in accordance with the CDC's recommendations. Mothers, who may already be feeling tired and overwhelmed after having just giving birth, may be badgered by hospital staff to get the vaccine as they are trying to leave the hospital, with no time to adequately research the vaccine and its possible side effects. Surprisingly, the article also reports that in lieu of giving women who have just given birth the Tdap vaccine, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices suggests that the Td vaccine, which immunizes against tetanus and diphtheria, be given to women who are pregnant!

The Dangers of Aluminum Phosphate

One of the ingredients in the Tdap vaccine is known as aluminum phosphate. However, one doctor warns in an article that this common vaccine adjuvant is linked with numerous neurological problems, both in human and animal studies. It is doubtful that hospital staff or doctors administering this vaccine will explain this information to someone who is about to receive the vaccine; so, it's important that all expectant mothers do their own research before agreeing to this inoculation.

The Dangers of 2-phenoxyethanol

A preservative used in the Tdap vaccine, 2-phenoxyethanol, has its own dangers. In fact, a data sheet for this chemical provided by Oxford University states: "Harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. May cause reproductive defects. Severe eye and skin irritant." Anyone want an injection? Pregnant mothers should note that this chemical is known to cause reproductive defects. Smart money says that if this chemical is harmful if it is absorbed into the skin, it's probably not too healthful if it's injected into the bloodstream. It's also a good bet that mothers aren't given this little tidbit of information before receiving the jab, either.

Adverse Reactions To Tdap

As with all vaccines, people who have received this vaccine have experienced numerous adverse reactions. While some health officials tend to sugar-coat the severity of side effects, an article on a Canadian government site notes that some of the possible reactions to this shot include severe swelling and pain at the injection site; a lump at the injection site that "usually" disappears in two months; serum sickness (a disease that affects various organs of the body); tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arm and chest; and serious allergic reactions (i.e. hives, wheezing, shortness of breath, swelling in the throat/mouth/face, a form of paralysis known as Guillain Barré Syndrome). Again, it is doubtful that hospital staff will advise new mothers of these possible adverse reactions before "offering" them the jab.

Are There Any Benefits to Receiving This Vaccine?

For people who don't mind rolling the dice when it comes to their health, it is possible that this vaccine may provide immunity, at least for a short time, to tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. There is no way to tell which people will experience serious adverse reactions in advance. People are expected to just roll up their sleeves and hope for the best. New mothers are put on the spot after giving birth, probably being made to feel as if they are bad parents if they dare to refuse the vaccine which might possibly prevent them from giving one of these rare illnesses to their babies.

Are Parents Who Oppose Vaccines Kooky?

Parents often wonder where to get unbiased information on the topic of vaccinations. Parents who oppose vaccination are often thought of as kooky. The truth is that the only crazy people are the ones who don't bother to research vaccinations before getting them or allowing them to be given to their children. Doctors don't always give good advice. A New York Times article reports that in the 1940's, doctors smoked Camels more than any other cigarette, according to a tobacco company. Yes, it used to be quite fashionable for doctors to smoke. There are still dentists using mercury fillings even though mercury is known to be very toxic to human beings, and people are even warned not to eat too much fish. These are just a few examples that demonstrate that doctors aren't always right. So, just because doctors or medical organizations may advise getting a vaccine, it doesn't mean they always know what they are doing.

A Must-Read Book For Parents

Many parents wonder where they can get truthful, unbiased information about vaccines in order to weigh the absolute risks and possible benefits. There is one outstanding book called The Parents' Concise Guide to Childhood Vaccinations by Dr. Lauren Feder that provides this kind of information. It is not an anti-vaccine treatise. Instead, it offers truthful information about all of the most common vaccines. Vaccinations aren't something that should be given as one is in a rush to leave the hospital. Parents should take the time to educate themselves in order to make informed decisions.

© 2008 by Joanne Waldron. Feel free to link to this post. It is ok to quote the first paragraph and then provide a clickable link. All other uses require the author's permission. If you enjoyed this article, please use the e-mail feature to send it to your friends!

Many Popular Bottled Waters Are Unsafe To Drink

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) just published a very disturbing report concerning a study that EWG researchers conducted on 10 major brands of bottled water. While most people who drink bottled water do so because they believe the water to be free of dangerous contaminants, the EWG found that some brands of bottled water were nothing more than tap water! Worse yet, they found 38 dangerous pollutants in the water, including disinfection byproducts, fertilizer residue, caffeine, arsenic, radioactive isotopes, industrial chemicals (solvents, plasticizers, viscosity decreasing agents, propellants), bacteria and pain medications like Tylenol. Astonishingly, while consumers are provided with local tap water quality reports from public water utilities every year, the bottled water industry has no obligation to test water for contaminants or disclose the results of any tests conducted.

Which Bottled Waters Are Unsafe?

Some of the worst bottled waters, according to the EWG, include Walmart's Sam's Choice brand and Giant's Acadia brand. In fact, both of these brands had levels of certain chemicals that were well over the legal limits in California and the limits imposed by industry voluntary safety standards. Moreover, cancer-causing contaminants were found in bottled water purchased in North Carolina, California, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia at well over the industry voluntary safety limits.

Could Drinking Bottled Water Up Cancer Risk?

One brand of bottled water, which was not identified, was actually responsible for triggering a 78% increase in the growth of breast cancer cells compared to the control sample. Now that's scary stuff. The EWG did disclose that a cancer-causing chemical known as bromodichloromethane was found in Walmart's Sam's Choice brand in levels that exceeded the allowable limit for cancer-causing chemicals per California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65, OEHHA 2008). The EWG is filing a lawsuit, because the group wants the water to be given the following label (as required by law): “WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer." Walmart's Sam's Choice brand bottled water was also found to be contaminated with cancer-causing trihalomethanes at levels above California's legal limit for bottled water (CDPR 2008).

Is Tap Water Any Better?

Unfortunately, most tap water is loaded with contaminants. In fact, many bottled water brands are nothing more than tap water packaged in plastic bottles, only way more expensive. As one can easily see from the EWG's report, buying water that's more expensive doesn't mean it is safer than tap water.

What Should Consumers Drink?

Unfortunately, the only real way to be sure that drinking water is safe is to take charge of filtering it at home. Shower water should also be filtered (Aquasana has a great shower filter), because skin can easily absorb toxins and cancer-causing contaminants. If one wishes to filter water that is used to wash dishes, a whole-house unit (perhaps one that uses reverse osmosis) is a possibility. Of course, a carbon filter at each sink and shower should also be used along with any whole-house unit to ensure that contaminants that may be lurking in the pipes inside the house are also removed. For even more protection, one could take the water that has been filtered using a whole-house reverse osmosis system followed by a carbon filter at the sink and then use a counter top distillation unit (like the Waterwise® Distiller With Electronic Monitor - Model # 8800) for any water used for cooking or drinking. Not everyone can afford an expensive water filtration system. For those people, a Brita pitcher or a Pur 3 Stage faucet mount may be used. Aquasana also carries an under-the-sink filtration system. If fluoride needs to be removed from the water, it is imperative to select an appropriate filtration method.

Are Any Bottled Waters Safe?

Cheap brands of bottled water found at grocery stores are generally not recommended for drinking, with rare exceptions. Some people like the taste of more expensive bottled artesian waters like Fiji water. This company posts test results for its water right on its website. Of course, for people on the go who prefer to bottle their own water at home, Aquasana sells a set of 6 glass bottles.

Easy Ways To Protect The Water Supply

-- Don't use laundry detergents that use dyes or fragrances. Does one really need blue laundry detergent? Does one's laundry have to smell like a mountain breeze? All chemicals in such products go right back into the water system. Try using the natural soap nuts that grow on trees from BetterLifeGoods.com. Yes, they really work well.

-- Don't use chemical fertilizers and weed killers on the lawn. It's easy for these chemicals to get into water pipes.

-- Don't use toxic chemical oven cleaners or toilet cleaners. Keeping the house clean on a regular basis will eliminate the need to use such strong cleaners. Plain white vinegar is great to clean windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces.

-- Say "no" to pharmaceutical drugs and over-the-counter medications to the extent possible, as all of these things end up right back in the water supply.

-- Buy organic foods. Don't support companies that add chemicals to the food supply.

-- Dispose of toxic waste correctly. It certainly cannot go in the kitchen garbage can.

-- Write to lawmakers and demand that fluoride not be added to the public water supply, as it is completely unsafe. In fact, parents are cautioned in an EWG press release: "The American Academy of Pediatrics warns against giving fluoridated drinking water to infants younger than six months, and the American Dental Association recommends formula made with fluoride-free water for babies less than 1 year old." Fluoride is no safer for adults - it just takes longer to cause harm.

-- Don't use toxic sunscreen products. If each person uses just one container of sunscreen a year, guess what happens to all of the toxic goop? As soon as one gets in the pool or the ocean, all of those chemicals go right into the water.

-- Use only organic soaps, personal care products and hair products. This stuff ends up in the water supply, too.

-- Don't use toxic dishwasher detergents. Choose a brand that is safe for the environment.

Contact Lawmakers and Demand Action

Contact Nancy Pelosi at AmericanVoices@house.gov, and tell her that laws are needed to protect consumers from dangerous bottled water. It is also important to send faxes to lawmakers. One can (at the time of this writing) send two free faxes per day at FaxZero.com right from any computer with an Internet connection (see terms and conditions at the site). Consumers should never have to worry that bottled water (or tap water) will cause cancer or illness. Why not send a free fax to two different lawmakers every single day? If enough people complain, lawmakers will have to listen.

© 2008 by Joanne Waldron. Feel free to link to this post. It is ok to quote the first paragraph and then provide a clickable link. All other uses require the author's permission. If you enjoyed this article, please use the e-mail feature to send it to your friends!