WARNING: Some readers may find the images in this story disturbing
A mother from Brisbane, Australia, is pleading with parents to vaccinate their children after her baby boy had to be hospitalized from complications from chickenpox.
Kayley Burke shared heartbreaking photos on Facebook Thursday of her 11-month-old son, Elijah, covered in scabs and blisters.
鈥淥ur poor baby boy who is too young to be immunised has caught the chicken pox (sic),鈥� she writes. 鈥淚t has almost been a week since they showed up... Today he was admitted to Ipswich Hospital with a secondary infection.鈥�
Burke called on other parents to make sure their children's vaccinations were up to date.
鈥淏ottom line if you don鈥檛 vaccinate your kids your a bloody idiot (sic),鈥� she wrote in a post that has been shared more than 46,000 times since Thursday.
鈥淭hink about the risk you are putting on other helpless kids that are too young or who actually can鈥檛 be vaccinated!鈥�
While it鈥檚 not clear what secondary infection Elijah has contracted, it is possible he has developed impetigo, a skin infection that can often follow a chickenpox infection. Impetigo is caused by staph or Group A strep bacteria that can enter skin that is broken by a chickenpox sore.
Burke told the Sunshine Coast Daily that Elijah鈥檚 older sister, Kaliah, 3, also has chickenpox, but because she was vaccinated, her illness has been mild. She added that she herself has contracted the infection too, and that the sores have spread down her throat.
鈥淎dult chicken pox is so horrible and painful I would much rather give birth with no pain relief,鈥� she writes.
In Canada, there is a that is given at 12 to 15 months old, with a second 鈥渂ooster鈥� shot given when they are 4 to 6 years old, though in some provinces, the second dose is given at 18 months old.
Most adults who grew up in Canada had chickenpox as children, as it is estimated that 90 per cent of unvaccinated children will get the infection by age 12.
Teens and adults up to age 50 who have not had chickenpox can still get the vaccine, which is given in two doses, at least six weeks apart.
Burke posted an update Friday to say that Elijah has been discharged from hospital and is taking antibiotics, presumably for the skin infection. (Chickenpox is caused by a virus and cannot be treated with antibiotics.)
Most importantly, Elijah is feeling better.
鈥淲e are able to get a few smiles and a little giggle out of him which is amazing,鈥� she posted Friday.
鈥淭hank you everyone for your well wishes and thoughts it has definitely been appreciated.鈥�
