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Smallpox parties are gatherings where children are intentionally infected with chickenpox to build up immunity. This is done because some parents believe the vaccine is unsafe, but medical professionals disagree. Chickenpox can have serious side effects and lead to complications later in life.
A smallpox party is a gathering organized by parents or caregivers to infect the children in their care with the varicella virus, more commonly known as chicken pox. Children are told to pass around objects that have been in their mouths and swap pajamas in an effort to contract the disease to build up their immunity to it later in life when chicken pox can be deadly. This is typically done because parents or caregivers believe that the chickenpox vaccine is unsafe, although this practice of throwing smallpox parties is not recommended by most medical professionals. Although many believe that getting chickenpox as a child is safe, it can have serious side effects both at the time of infection and later in life.
When a child becomes naturally ill with chickenpox, that child’s parent or caregiver throws a smallpox party and activities are planned to circumvent the disease. The healthy children are brought together with the sick child into a closed environment, with the intention that the healthy children will pick up the virus from the child with chickenpox. Kids can pass the same candy sucker, eat ice cream with the same spoon or play with the same whistle. Because chickenpox is highly contagious, especially through saliva, the sick child will generally pass the chickenpox virus on to other children. Another common activity at a pox party is pajama sharing: The sores that accompany chickenpox are also contagious, and so a healthy child wearing the sick child’s pajamas after him could also contract the disease.
The main purpose of a smallpox party is for children to get the disease at a young age so their bodies build a natural immunity without getting the vaccine. Parents and caregivers typically choose to throw a smallpox party rather than give their child the standard vaccine because they believe the vaccine is not safe, not effective, or both. Despite this, the vast majority of medical professionals disagree. The chickenpox vaccine is considered one of the safest available, with very limited side effects, and is estimated to protect 85% of children from chickenpox and shingles without ever having to go through the ordeal of battling the virus real. 2005.
In addition to anti-vaccine opinions, chicken pox is also often viewed as a minor disease, which is why parents and caregivers believe it is safe to throw a smallpox party. While many children are able to get over chickenpox safely, this isn’t true for all. Pneumonia is a relatively common complication, and signs of smallpox can become infected, leading to other health problems. Additionally, the chickenpox virus can cause an infection in the brain, which can cause permanent damage or even death. By choosing the smallpox party over vaccination, children are also at risk for shingles in adulthood, which can be incredibly painful and brings with it a list of complications.
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