Hi dr. mike,

i appreciate your column and advice. i have a question. shouldn't my child get the anthrax vaccine? with all the outbreaks shouldn't we protect our children?

please answer. karen (lansing, mi)

Your question is a good one. I'll just mention a few key points:

• First of all, anthrax can infect humans by 3 methods: cutaneous (skin contact), gastrointestinal (eating it), and inhalational (breathing it). Inhalational is the most fatal

• There is no anthrax vaccine available to the public. There is one available for the armed forces, but it's not 100% effective, anyway. It also has side effects.

• You can not catch anthrax from another person

• Anthrax can be treated with antibiotics, and there are a number of antibiotics available here in the U.S.

• The chance of getting anthrax is very small. To protect yourself and your children, be suspicious of letters or boxes with no return addresses, visible stains, or postmarks which don't match the return address

Remember, we live in the greatest country in the world. We have the greatest minds in the world at work on this problem. We will find the answer and become a stronger nation and world because of it.

I hope that helps. Dr. Mike

This article was reviewed 04/23/2010 07:24 AM

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