MEMPHIS, TN - While most of us are doing whatever we can to avoid the swine flu, some people want to get sick on purpose! Doctors say it's a dangerous trend that they don't want to see continue.
The idea of getting sick on purpose isn't new. Some moms used to expose their kids to chicken pox so they could develop immunity, but doctors say the H1N1 virus is a whole different animal. It’s very unpredictable.
If you get invited to a swine flu party, doctors say, send your regrets.
"We don't think that's a good idea because some of those children might become very ill," said infectious disease specialist Dr. Keith English.
Some people aren't heeding the warning. Parents are planning get-togethers designed to get their kids sick. They're meeting through mom groups or social networking web sites. The reason: they don't want their kids sick for the holidays.
But doctors say there's another way.
"We have a vaccine which is the safe way to protect those children against the flu,” Dr. English said. “Unlike those swine flu parties where you could get a complication of the flu that could make you very sick. The vaccine won't make you sick. It'll give you the immunity that those parents want."
Some parents are skeptical of the vaccine all-together. Others say they'd rather have their kids get the current, milder version of the virus than a mutated one that could develop down the line.
Doctors say the flu they're worried about is the one we have right now.
"If the parents ask us that question,” English said. “We'd say no, get the vaccine instead. That's the way to prevent the flu."
Three children have died from the H1N1 virus at Le Bonheur. 26 children have had to be put in the ICU. Doctors say these numbers show the risks are too great to justify getting your child to contract the virus intentionally.
