Pox party
Pox Party
A Pox Party (/pɒks pɑːrti/) is a social gathering where children are deliberately exposed to an infectious disease, such as chickenpox. The practice aims to promote immunity against the disease at an early age.
Etymology
The term "Pox Party" is derived from the word "pox", which is a general term for a disease characterized by purulent skin eruptions, and "party", referring to a social gathering. The concept originated in the 18th century when smallpox was a common disease.
History
Pox parties were a common practice before the advent of the vaccine for diseases such as chickenpox and measles. Parents would intentionally expose their children to the disease, believing that it was safer to contract the disease during childhood. The practice has largely been discontinued due to the availability of vaccines and the potential risks associated with contracting these diseases.
Controversy
Pox parties have been a subject of controversy due to the potential risks and ethical considerations. Critics argue that deliberately exposing children to infectious diseases can lead to severe complications and is unethical. Supporters of pox parties argue that natural immunity is more effective than vaccine-induced immunity.
Related Terms
- Herd immunity: A form of indirect protection from infectious disease that occurs when a large percentage of a population has become immune to an infection.
- Vaccine: A biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease.
- Chickenpox: A highly contagious disease caused by the initial infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV).
- Measles: A highly contagious infectious disease caused by the measles virus.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pox party
- Wikipedia's article - Pox party
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