Medical Records?

Question:

Medical Records?

Does anyone know how I could find my medical records from when I was a child? The doctor who took care of me died when I was 25, and I need my immunizaton records, and the school I went to does'nt have them on file.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: If you're 25 and are looking for records from more than 15 years ago, the odds are slim to none that you'll find them. You could contact your elementary or HS to see if there's a copy of your immunization records in the school records. But your doctor's office is not a good lead.

IF....big IF...your doctor's practice went in whole to another doctor...and IF...giant IF...that doctor never weeded out old medical records, then you have a chance of getting the records from the doctor who took over the practice. But after 8 years in most states, and 15 years in the remainder, medical records can be destroyed.

No hospital will have any records. Immunization clinic records went to the County Health dept. It's a minute chance that the County Health dept is keeping records more than 10 years...they're just way too pressed for space.

If your HS doesn't have them and your elementary school doesn't have them, then the reality is that you either get immunized all over again or don't worry about it. The small pox immunization and polio vax you won't need. The MMR has to be boostered anyway. The Varicella vax is nothing worth repeating because you risk getting a secondary condition called Shingles if you already had the vaccine or the disease and then get revaccinated. Tetanus has to be boostered every 10 years, so whether you had it as a kid or not, you're probably due soon.

If the school is really threatening something nasty, just tell them you are signing the vaccination waiver. It's legal in all 50 states and is there for people who have a problem with exposing their children to the horrid chemicals that are in vaccines, including mercury and matter from aborted fetuses. There really aren't any diseases for you to be vaccinated against at this time other than Measles and German Measles...2 of the 3 parts of the MMR vaccine. If you can't afford the vaccination on your own, you can get it from the County Health dept for usually $10-25. They might try insisting you get the Hepatitis B vaccine, but unless you're in a risk group (IV drug user, promiscuous and undiscerning with your sexual partners, or in a high risk occupation) there's no reason for you to get it.

Hope it helps...