History Of Vaccines: Edward Jenner

Edward Jenner - Vaccine Discoverer

Published by M. Ben Aria

Had it not been for Edward Jenner's discovery of vaccines, the world would not be the place it is now, as this article reveals ...

It is hard to imagine living in a world consumed by devastatingly debilitating diseases such as polio or small pox. Had it not been for Edward Jenner's discovery of vaccines, the world would not be the place it is now. Vaccines have changed how these diseases affect humanity. No longer is there a constant worry of a child being struck down early in life by small pox or the constant paranoia over a vicious strain of rubella. With a series of vaccinations, children are protected from diseases that were once global killers but are now resigned to history books and medical journals.

A disease is different than a virus. A virus is a living one-celled organism, whereas a disease is a mutation of our DNA. A virus is usually treated with antibiotics, and a disease is treated with a vaccine. The vaccine is created from a less-harmful strand of that particular disease. The vaccine works its magic by letting the immune system conquer and build up a resistance to the disease. Once that has happened, then the immune system is protected from the deadlier strands. Think of it as the same type of protection a computer program can offer against outside attackers.

A vaccine is a version of a specific disease. Take for example small pox. There was the terrible version of the small pox that ravaged the world, and there was a much milder version that infected cows. Jenner noticed that milkmaids and farmers who contracted the cowpox did not come down with small pox, even when exposed. He tested this theory on a child by injecting him with cowpox. Once the boy recovered, Jenner then exposed him to smallpox. The result was astounding to Jenner and the world. If a person were infected with a disease or a milder variety of disease, then the body built up immunity and would not be affected again.

Edward Jenner's discovery of vaccines and his work with small pox have changed the medical world as we know it. The world does not have to isolate itself any longer from other communities for fear of disease and possible death. Houses are no longer marked with signs of plague. The only recognizable sign of Jenner's battle is a shot record that shows what immunizations a child has received. There are still diseases that currently do not have a vaccination, but there will come a time in the future when even those are nothing more than a stamp on a card.

Next article: Mass Immunization Programs - The Four Elements

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