RSV & Synagis

I wasn't planning on posting for a while, but a topic came up in conversation that I thought I would address here since I was going to be doing some research on it.

RSV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, has become a household term this past decade. My 3rd son, Jesse, had it when he was 6 months old and we needed to take him to the emergency room to get a nebulizer and albuterol. It was scary when I laid my baby down to change his diaper and he struggled to breathe and his lips turned blue. But I specifically remember the day before watching a friend's little girl who had a nasty, sticky cough and I believe it was passed on to my son. I should have been a wiser Momma and just said "no!"

The symptoms of RSV "can range from having a simple clear runny nose and occasional cough that can be treated at home, to severe difficulty breathing that may require hospitalization. Other symptoms might include a low-grade fever, sore throat, headache, and irritability. Younger children, especially those under 2 or 3 years old, are most at risk for more severe symptoms, such as high fever, wheezing, difficulty breathing, a persistent cough, or apnea." (from http://pediatrics.about.com/od/childhoodinfections/a/05_rsv.htm). One of the problems with RSV is that it can show up as a simple cold in older children, so that you an expose a vulnerable child easily if you are not careful.

One of the best preventions is limiting exposure in very young children. Keep your newborns at home whenever possible. If this means you worship in your own home until the rounds of cold and flu are done, do so. Ask friends and family members to wash their hands before holding your baby. Limiting day care exposure is also strongly recommended. Routine cleaning of countertops, tables,toys, etc can significantly decrease live viruses.

So what about the new vaccine, Synagis (palivizumab)? This vaccine was developed in the 90's with some of the clinical trials held during 1996 to 1997. Palivizumabprophylaxis was associated with a 55% reduction of RSV hospitalization in all premature infants and an 80% reduction in hospitalization rate for 32to 35 weeks' gestational age infants without chronic lung disease (many children show signs of asthma or other lung disease after having RSV). But what are the risks?

As with all vaccines, I would encourage parents to make an informed choice. Get online and read both sides of the issues. (I have listed several websites at the end of this post.) Ask to see the package insert that comes with the vaccine.

We, as a family, have chosen to postpone vaccines for now. Here are several reasons:

**Vaccines bypass God's original plan for immunity. Your three main immune response sites are the mucus membranes (nose, throat, ears, etc.), the gut (stomach, intestines) and the skin. When one is naturally exposed to a virus or bacteria it is usually through one of these areas. Our body is a miraculously equipped machine that is trained to attack viruses and bacteria when they overload our system. A vaccine, though, enters the blood stream and neuro system directly and can cause many dangerous side effects like Type I diabetes and autism.

**Vaccines contain artificial and animal ingredients besides human components. Some of these include pesticides, formaldehyde, and animal viruses. Synagis contains 5% murine (mouse) antibodies (taken from package insert). It is even a possibility that RSV has become more common because it is carried in the Polio Vaccine used now. (http://www.thinktwice.com/Polio.pdf) The human components often come from the fetuses of aborted babies. Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. Why would we intentionally inject ourselves and our family members with these ingredients?

**A child's immunity does not reach maturity until about 5-6 yrs. old. It is very important that we encourage our children's immunity by feeding them whole, nourishing foods; encouraging needed sleep; providing them with abundant, clean, drinking water; and bringing them up in a positive, loving atmosphere. These factors alone will contribute to strong, healthy children. We also need to make wise choices as parents and limit their exposure during times of sickness and disease. And when our children do get sick, we need to be well-educated in the things that promote true immunity: vitamins & minerals, herbs, natural supplements, juicing, and rest.

Yes, my sons have had RSV. But I would not have chosen the the vaccine if it was accessible when they were young. I treated their RSV with several Trilight Herb formulas: Echinacea & Thyme with Elderberry, Lungs Plus, & Yummy Yarrow. I used herbal lotions (Lympha Rub & similar to Vicks on their throat and necks to provide relief from coughing. I did go to my Dr. and request a nebulizer and albuterol when I felt we needed it. I also used Trilight Herb's astragulus to help build up Jesse's lungs to decrease the risk of asthma. And I have prayed over my children many nights and into the early hours of the morning.

When it comes to our children's health, we need to make informed, educated decisions. Many of the drugs and vaccines on the market today have not been properly tested over a long period of time. We do not know what effect this will have on our children and our grandchildren someday. May God grant us wisdom!

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."
James 3:17


For more information: http://www.vaccinetruth.org, http://www.nmaseminars.com/index.html,
http://www.whale.to/vaccines/moskowitz.html,
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/

Finishing the Course

I am in the process of finishing an herbal health course so that I can receive certification. I had great hopes to be done by December 2008 but may not finish until the end of this week. I have learned so much! One of my greatest "discoveries" was that there really is field of science where psychiatry and health is combined for healing. This field is called orthomolecular psychiatry. Orthomolecular psychiatry involves treating a person by giving them a biochemical workup and appropriate therapy. Dr. Michael Lesser, a CA psychiatrist and one of the founders of the orthomolecular psychiatry movement, found that fully 67% of his psychiatric practice was suffering from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Le me give you some background as to why this was such a discovery to me. I graduated in 1995 from Baptist Bible College with a B.S. in Bible and a minor in psychology. My course was called "pre-counseling". I learned that counseling can only be adequately done with the Bible as its foundation. I read books by Larry Crab and Jay Adams. I was very fired up to go out and help people to change and overcome their psychosis using the Bible and traditional psychological methods. I was married the next day, moved to IA from PA, and went to work looking for a job with a Christian counseling ministry. I beame very discouraged when I was not hired because I was lacking the necessary experience or a MA.

I took a job as a student aid at the local public school for a 5th grade girl with severe cerebral palsy. This was a great experience for me as I had been educated in Christian institutions all my life and had no experience in local school campuses. God then began blessing us with children and I taught piano lessons from our home so that I could disciple our sons 24/7. Through the experience of pregnancy, childbirth and raising children I began to delve into alternative medicine. I was continually amazed at the amount of information (and scientific studies)that was available about healing not only common illnesses with herbs and nutrition but also diseases and psychological problems.

Now I can look back and see a little of the journey...if I had begun counseling right away I may not have been as interested in looking for alternative methods to bring healing to others. God has used my family and friends to help guide me into His way. My dreams involve owning a natural food store, getting my herbalist certification, and possibly exploring the field of orthomolecular psychiatry. Right now I am striving to the be the best friend and help meet for my husband, the best mother and teacher for my children, and the best friend and neighbor for the lost around me.

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24 (KJV)