The Thinking ‘Kat: Awareness and Autism
It is no secret that I am not exactly enamoured with the reign of President Trump, for a number of reasons. His approach to a great many issues leaves a lot to be desired, and his latest display of utter ignorance is one of his most worrying. Trump has made some absurd claims about autism and what causes it, which will in turn create – if people are naïve enough to listen to him – greater problems in the future.
Painkillers and Pregnancies
The first of Trump’s erroneous claims is that the painkiller Tylenol – known as paracetamol here in the UK – can cause autism if taken by pregnant women. There are various studies by qualified medical professionals that refute Trump’s irresponsible statement, as referred to in this BBC article. There does appear to be some form of connection, but not a causal link, and Tylenol/paracetamol remains the safest drug for cases of fever in pregnant women. In fact, not combating high fevers can cause harm to the baby, rendering Trump’s advice even more irresponsible.
Vaccines vs Diseases
Trump has parroted unproven connections between vaccinations and autism. In particular, he has gone after the MMR jab (which immunises against mumps, measles and rubella), suggesting there should be three separate shots instead of one combined vaccine. Trump – without evidence – asserts there is a connection between autism and the MMR, yet countless efforts have not demonstrated a link.
Scaring parents away from vaccines paves the way for dangerous, crippling and even deadly illnesses to make a resurgence. Mumps is unlikely to cause serious problems but can cause inflammation of the brain. Measles is unlikely to be fatal, but it can be, and it can be more dangerous for those with compromised immune systems. Rubella isn’t generally harmful to adults, but it can cause miscarriages, and it can lead to ear, eye and heart problems for the child. If these diseases are permitted to spread, then causes of serious complications will rise.
Is Autism on the Rise?
Trump has mentioned that autism diagnoses are rising. He is technically correct, but in blaming Tylenol and vaccines, he is misleading people as to why. Diagnoses are rising because of changes and improvements in how autism is identified. There is no evidence that cases of autism are rising, which is the implication Trump is trying to make.
Why is he doing this?
It’s hard to say. Trump tends to act in the interest of himself and his cronies, so does he have some kind of business angle? Or is he being misled, and swallowing the guidance of others who are equally ignorant and misled? Either way, his stance on vaccines and autism is painfully, dangerously flawed. There is a broad push against expert experience and medical wisdom at the moment, particularly in parts of the USA, and this is something that I have discussed before. Fearmongering of what qualified, knowledgeable people have to say is a peculiarity, but one on the rise. Who knows what is motivating Trump on all this.
Vaccines save lives. They improve quality of life, and prevent people from suffering crippling conditions. Fearmongering is grossly negligent, and among a great many offensive and misguided policies of Trump’s, this is possibly one of his worst. His policy should be thoroughly rejected.
