Diseases to Be More Worried About Than Ebola

Influenza

Dr. Christoph Diasio, a pediatrician out of North Carolina, tells us, "Influenza killed 108 children in America last year and most studies estimate an average death rate yearly in America of 20,000 as a result of the flu." How many news stories did we see on that? I can't recall any. The good news is the flu vaccine is readily available nearly everywhere, and it's very cost effective, so please consider getting your whole family vaccinated against it this year!

Source: Flickr user futureatlas.com

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Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Babies are the most likely to die from whooping cough (pertussis) and can have complications such as seizures and brain damage. Immunize.org says, "Whooping cough is common all over the U.S., and recent outbreaks have caused many hospitalizations and deaths." In fact, the CDC estimates that between 10,000 and 40,000 cases are reported each year in the United States. If your child did not receive the DtAP vaccine, then they are at a greater risk for contracting pertussis.

Source: Flickr user Kourtlyn Lott

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Measles

In 2014 alone, there have been nearly 600 reported cases of the measles in the United States. Yup, the measles. If you've declined the MMR vaccine for your child, that means your little one is way more at risk of getting measles than Ebola. In fact, according to Dr. Diasio, measles is "the most contagious disease on the planet." I double dog dare you to google what the measles looks like in a child; it's scary stuff.

Source: Flickr user Pan American Health Organization-PAHO / World Health Organization-WHO

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Mumps

I know the mumps sounds like a thing from the days of the Oregon Trail, but this year alone Illinois and Ohio have reported around 500 cases. Of the mumps! It may not be as deadly as the others, but it is pretty unpleasant (hello, swollen testicles) if contracted. Again, if you decline the MMR vaccine for your tot, then he could be at risk.

Source: Flickr user Quinn Dombrowski

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