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The average parent goes out of their way to prevent their children from contracting chickenpox. Not these parents!

A group of parents in Colorado are doing the exact opposite – arranging ‘chickenpox parties’ to deliberately infect their children.

It is a technique that was used by families decades ago, before the varicella zoster vaccine was released in 1995, in an attempt to ‘naturally’ build up their kids’ immunity to viruses.

The trend of pox parties is making a resurgence, according to a report by 9News.com.

‘I have been swamped with requests to have my daughter share chicken pox, and I can accommodate as many requests as possible,’ one mother wrote in a private Facebook group, seen by 9News.com.

‘We seem to have a pretty contagious wild virus here that started when my husband came down with the shingles around the middle of September,’ she added.

‘It seems to be a [week] or so before you notice results.’

She then offers specific times and days of the week when she can host visitors.

There are options for strategies. Either the child can simply spend time with infected people, or they can be ‘tented’ – putting them in a very small space filled with exhaled air for 30 minutes.

On top of that, the mother adds: ‘Bonus for sharing snacks out of the same bowl. Also, bring the host mom something by way of thx. A casserole or tp or something!’

These parties have often occurred around Australia too.

A Brisbane mother of two boys advertised via a Facebook anti-vaccination group the opportunity to infect other children with the disease.

Australian Medical Association warn it’s “dangerous” and “terribly misinformed” with the severity of the disease being underestimated by parents.

“I’ve said repeatedly vaccination saves lives, it reduces infection and it protects us all, not just the individual,” AMA Queensland president Dr Chris Zappala said.

The risk with chickenpox is that the virus can develop into further complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and group A strep, all of which can prove fatal in young, vulnerable, developing children.

Would you attend?

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  • its funny how times change. When I was a child this is what people would do. If someone had Measles, mumps or chickenpox your parents would send you over to play with them so that you could catch it and get it over with.

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  • Just what planet are these ding a lings from.

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  • This is just very weird and outrageous, I would not attend.

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  • These people need psychiatric counselling! Are they completely oblivious to the dangers of contracting chickenpox? Sure, your kids might be ok, but what if yours is the one in however many to get really sick or possibly even die

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  • despite having the vaccine I know children who have still got chickenpox. but very mild form.

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  • This is ludicrous. Why would you want to make your children sick. I definitely wouldn’t attend and no way would I let my children go.

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  • No. Sorry. Just no!!

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  • I’m not sure what to think about this. Kid’s are vaccinated against the disease these days anyway so we shouldn’t be getting chicken pox unless you’re an anti-vaccer in which case in no circumstances should you attend any public gathering of children, let alone a pox party. I have had chicken pox twice with no ill effects and I have never heard of anyone who got it really severely. I always thought it was one of those mild things that most people get as a child and once you’ve had it you’re not supposed to get it again.

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  • Unfortunately this is just one of those old wives tales which does the rounds. Doesn’t sound too dangerous if you don’t know much about childhood diseases but I wish there was more media coverage about the risks of doing these parties. I’m still shocked that I hear about them every now and then. My mum was a nurse and when I tell my friends about the risks and complications or purposefully sharing these childhood diseases, none of them knew! We need more education from the AMA – perhaps they should consider a press release every time one of these silly ideas surfaces on social media.

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  • How irresponsible when immunisations are available. Rediculous parenting.

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  • My daughter lot her hearing as a complication fo chicken pox. I know a doctor whose three son died asa result of measles! All at the same time.
    Sadly these people are ill-informed.

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  • I’ve heard of this before. I certainly wouldn’t let my kids go to one of these parties. And those who say if you’re immunised for chicken pox and you won’t get them. Think again. Immunization only milds down the severity of the disease.

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  • How stupid can some people be?!

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  • Oh dear, which century are these people in?

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  • absolute idiots is all I can say

    Reply

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