Diphtheria is an infectious disease that has been abolished from Spain for 28 years. Its symptoms begin with a sore throat and a mild fever. It can lead to a swollen neck, kidney problems, myocarditis, inflammation of the nerves, and even death in severe, untreated cases.
Diphtheria toxoid is a widely-available vaccine that protects against this disease. But due to the anti-vaccination hysteria, many parents refuse to vaccinate their children, something that can have harsh consequences.
This was the case of a six-year-old boy from Spain. His parents refused to vaccinate him, and in an unfortunate event he contracted the disease and died. The couple now regrets their decision and blames the anti-vaccination groups for “tricking” them into not vaccinating the boy, according to IFLScience.
Moreover, eight other Spanish children have been found carrying the virus, but fortunately, have since been vaccinated and did not develop the disease.
Anti-vaccination groups often underestimate the seriousness of diseases, such like diphtheria, and also the immunization effects of the vaccines. WHO (World Health Organization) classifies diphtheria toxoid as “one of the safest vaccines available”. Its immunization effects have led to a rapid decline in the number of diphtheria cases, from almost 100.000 in 1980, to 4.700 in 2013.
Octavian Cătuşanu
Sursa foto: nammont.com