Arthritis is a condition commonly associated with older people, but the sad fact is that the condition is affecting more and more children.
It is thought about 20 percent of children who are diagnosed with arthritis go on to develop chronic disease. However, new research suggests that the figure is far greater.
There has always been some concern that childhood vaccines are linked to the development of the condition, although there is no scientific evidence of this and it is refuted by many health experts, including the World Health Organisation (WHO).
There have been reports of a link between children who have a genetic tendency towards an autoimmune disease, the hepatitis b vaccine and arthritis.
It is impossible to determine a genetic predisposition before a vaccination is administered.
The hepatitis b vaccine has been recommended for newborn babies since the early 90s and is usually given within two days of birth.
There have been many questions about the value of the vaccination, although cases of hepatitis b halved between 1990 and 1998.
There have been reports of acute arthritis following the rubella vaccination since it started to be used in 1972. This usually occurs within 10 to 28 days of the injection and affects the fingers, knees, wrists and elbows, ankles, hips and toes.
The strain used into rubella vaccine given to children today is reported to cause joint symptoms in about 15 percent of youngsters.
As a parent you must carefully weigh up the risk of your child developing post-vaccination arthritis and the risk and damage that will be caused if they develop hepatitis b or rubella.
If you have any concerns, it is best to talk to your doctor about the risks involved with vaccinations.
Comments are closed.