Q: What is “natural immunity”?

Natural immunity is a form of active immunity that occurs when someone is exposed directly to a disease through infection. This exposure triggers the immune system to create antibodies. Another form of active immunity is vaccine-induced immunity in which a killed or weakened form of a disease is introduced to the body, triggering the same immune response.

You may think it ridiculous to purposely expose your child to a disease in order for their immune systems to create long-lasting resistance, but I’m sure you’ve heard of “chicken pox parties” in which parents gather their children with a child who has the disease. The idea is to get chicken pox “over and done with” and have their child build an immunity as early as possible.

Natural immunity means getting sick in order to develop resistance to a disease. While it may seem favorable to having your child receive a needle, you are placing your child at risk of experiencing pain, discomfort or other health issues. For example, exposure to chicken pox may lead to infected sores and blisters or even pneumonia.

Active immunity is long-lasting but there are definitely risks to using a natural immunity approaching to helping your child develop a strong immune system.