Investigating whether MMR causes Autism.

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Introduction:

In this Case Study I am going to be investigating whether MMR causes Autism. I will also be putting forward the arguments for and against it. I am going to be using various diagrams and scientific information which you will need to know in order to understand this case study. I will also be talking about what MMR vaccines and Autism and whether they have a link or not. I will also go on to present my views on whether I think there is a link between MMR and Autism.  I will include an evaluation and bibliography, which will state where I got my information from and how reliable the information is. I have chosen this topic because I believe it is quite fascinating, along with the media hype which has gone with it, the controversies which have arisen as a result, and also as I am very interested to find out whether MMR causes Autism. The reason being the MMR vaccine is given to most children and it would be very interesting to know if these children are at risk of having Autism. I personally believe there is no link between MMR vaccinations and Autism. To make sure I am not biased in any way is will be using reasonable point to argue for and against the statement “Does MMR cause Autism”.

What  is  Immunization  and  how  does  it  work?

Immunization is a process which makes someone immune to an infectious disease/organism. This is done by giving people vaccinations. “Vaccines are made from weak or "dead" versions of the viruses or bacteria that cause disease [1] Immunisation uses the body’s natural defence mechanism-the immune response-to build resistance to certain infections Immunisation works by introducing a mild or dead form of the disease into the body. Some vaccines contain a very small dose of a live, but weakened form of a virus. Some vaccines contain a very small dose of killed bacteria or small parts of bacteria, and other vaccines contain a small dose of a modified toxin produced by bacteria. Once the disease enters the body, via the injection, the white blood cells make the antibodies to destroy the microbe causing the disease. If the person is infected with the same microbe again, the white blood cells can quickly produce the correct antibody and the person does not suffer from the disease. This is what is known as active immunity. Once a child has been vaccinated in general, the normal immune response takes several weeks to work. This means protection from an infection will not occur immediately after immunisation. Most immunisations need to be given several times to build long lasting protection. Generally vaccinations protect us all our lives; however, the protective effect of some immunisations is not always life-long and then a booster jab will be given which will top-up the original vaccine. Artificial active immunization is where the microbe, or parts of it, is injected into the person before they are able to take it in naturally. If whole microbes are used, they are pre-treated. Depending on the type of disease, this technique also works with dead microbes, parts of the microbe, or treated toxins from the microbe. Artificial passive immunization is normally given by injection and is used if there has been a recent outbreak of a particular disease or as an emergency treatment to poisons. The antibodies can be produced in animals or in vitro.

[2]

        White Blood Cell

 

        

                                   Disease causing Bacteria

What are MMR Vaccines?

The MMR Vaccine is given in the form of an injection, in order to protect someone from catching Mumps, Measles and Rubella.  The MMR vaccine contains dead or inactive versions of the viruses that cause Mumps, Measles and Rubella. This vaccine is usually injected through the arm. Once it has been injected the white blood cell recognizes these microbes and then produces antibodies. The antibodies then kill the Mumps, Measles and Rubella microbes, stopping the person catching the disease. So if the person comes in contact with this disease in a later stage of life, they don’t have to worry because their body now recognises that particular microorganism. Therefore if the Mumps, Measles or Rubella microbe invades the person’s body, their body is able to produce antibodies faster. [4]

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  • “Measles - this can cause ear infections, pneumonia, fits and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Sometimes it can be fatal.”
  • “Mumps - this can cause meningitis, which can result in deafness. It may cause inflammation of the pancreas, leading to pain, nausea and vomiting. In boys it can damage the testicles and cause infertility.”
  • “Rubella - this is also known as German measles and is usually a minor illness. However, it's harmful to pregnant women. If you become infected during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, it's very likely to cause problems in your unborn baby. These ...

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